Chañaral Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Chañaral, Atacama, Chile. These values are calculated using 30 years of data (1990–2020) to ensure accuracy. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.
Chañaral experiences desert-like conditions in terms of precipitation with almost no rainfall, generally receiving 83 mm (3.3 in) annually.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Year-round, Chañaral has a balanced climate with minimal variation in precipitation. The difference between the wettest month, June, with 9.9 mm (0.4 in), and the driest month, January, with 3.9 mm (0.2 in), is minimal.
June, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 19°C (66°F). During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 23°C (73°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Chañaral Temperature page.
Explore Chañaral's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Chañaral spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Chile: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Chile. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
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moderate
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almost none
Chañaral vs World: Rainfall Compared
Chañaral's average annual precipitation is 83 mm (3.3 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
The city of Rome, Italy, has an average annual precipitation of 832 mm (33 in), spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm (39 in) of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.
Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
Mumbai, India, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1860 mm (73 in) of annual rainfall, with the majority of precipitation happening during the monsoon season from June to September.
Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.
Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.
The proximity of a location to a large body of water can significantly affect its rainfall patterns:
- Ocean Influence: Coastal regions typically receive more rainfall due to the presence of moisture-laden winds from the ocean. These regions tend to have more humid climates and experience more frequent precipitation, especially in winter.
- Continental Climates: Areas further from the sea, such as inland or continental regions, experience less frequent rainfall and more extreme seasonal variations in precipitation.
- "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
- The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 20 cm (7.9 inches) thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
- The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA—over 31.5 meters (103 feet) fell during the winter of 1972.
For more detailed information about Chañaral's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Chañaral Climate page.