Chennai Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Chennai. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Now, let’s explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Chennai is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1021 mm.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm)

Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wet season, November receives substantial rainfall, averaging 231 mm of precipitation, recorded across 10 rainy days.

In contrast, the drier season, February brings less rainfall, with 9.4 mm over a single rainy day.

November, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 30°C. During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 30°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Chennai Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in India

The map below shows the annual precipitation across India. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Chennai’s average annual precipitation is 1021 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 644 mm, evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Bangkok, Thailand, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1668 mm of annual rainfall, with the heaviest precipitation occurring during September and October.

How is Precipitation Measured?

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.

Global Precipitation Patterns

Tropical Rainforests: In tropical regions, rainfall is generally abundant year-round. Areas near the equator, like the Amazon rainforest, can receive up to 3000 mm of rain annually.

Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm of rainfall annually. Rainfall tends to be infrequent, but when it does occur, it is often intense.

Temperate Zones: In temperate regions, precipitation tends to be more evenly distributed, though areas closer to the ocean may see more rain in the winter months, and areas further inland experience drier summers.

Polar Regions: Precipitation in polar regions, like Antarctica, is extremely low, often falling as snow. Average annual precipitation in Antarctica is less than 200 mm, with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm annually.

For more detailed information about Chennai’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Chennai Climate page.