Chennai Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. This average is based on long-term data collected between 1990 and 2020. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.

Chennai has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1021 mm (40 in) of rainfall per year. It does, however, have a distinct dry season during certain months. Have a look at our detailed charts below to see how precipitation varies throughout the year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))

Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wettest month, November receives substantial rainfall, averaging 231 mm (9.1 in) of precipitation, recorded across 10 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, February brings less rainfall, with 9.4 mm (0.4 in) over a single rainy day.

November, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 30°C (86°F). The city receives 263 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 30°C (86°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Chennai Temperature page.

Chennai's average annual precipitation is 1021 mm (40 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm (21 in) of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.

In Seoul, South Korea, the average annual precipitation is 1237 mm (49 in), with most rain falling during the summer monsoon season.

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual precipitation is 1528 mm (60 in), with significant summer rains due to typhoon season.

Singapore, situated near the equator, gets 2581 mm (102 in) of rainfall annually, with no distinct dry season and consistent monthly precipitation.

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.

• Mawsynram in India is noted as being the wettest place on earth, with over 11 meters (36 feet) of rain falling every year.
• In contrast, Antofagasta in Chile is among the driest places on the planet, getting less than 0.1mm (0.004 inches) per year, with some years recording virtually no rainfall.
• Nearly 1,650 thunderstorm cells are estimated over the planet at any given time.

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