Durban Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This average is based on long-term data collected between 1990 and 2020. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Generally, Durban receives mid-range precipitation levels, with 915 mm (36 in) annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Durban can be quite wet during November, receiving approximately 102 mm (4 in) of precipitation over 16 rainy days.

In contrast June, experiences much drier conditions, with 35 mm (1.4 in) of rainfall, spread across 4 rainy days.

November, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 25°C (77°F). The city receives 168 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month June you can expect a temperature of 24°C (75°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Durban Temperature page.

Durban's average annual precipitation is 915 mm (36 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

The climate in San Francisco, USA, is influenced by coastal weather, with 469 mm (18 in) of rainfall mostly during the winter months.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

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

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm (100 in) of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.

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.

Climate change is affecting precipitation patterns worldwide, including Durban:

• Changing Rainfall Patterns: Global warming causes drastic changes in the patterns of rainfall. Some areas have been experiencing increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, while other areas experience longer dry spells or even droughts.
• Local Impacts: Many regions are experiencing heavier rainfall in the winter months and drier, hotter summers. This affects agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.

• "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 Durban's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Durban Climate page.