Durham (NC) Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Durham (NC). The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Let’s explore the details in depth to provide you with a complete overview.

Durham has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1218 mm of rain/snowfall per year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The amount of precipitation varies moderately throughout the year. The wettest month, September, sees around 140 mm of rainfall, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of rain now and then. The driest month, January, still receives a respectable 67 mm of rainfall.

September, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 28°C and receives 217 hours of sunshine. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 10°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Durham Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in the United States of America

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Durham’s average annual precipitation is 1218 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Lisbon, Portugal, the average annual precipitation is 774 mm, characterized by wet winters and dry summers typical of the Mediterranean climate.

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

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual precipitation is 979 mm, making it wetter than Sydney.

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

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 Durham (NC)’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Durham (NC) Climate page.