Fort Lauderdale (FL) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.

Fort Lauderdale has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1553 mm (61 in) of rainfall per year. It does, however, have a distinct rainy 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))

Fort Lauderdale can be quite wet during September, receiving approximately 228 mm (9 in) of precipitation over 25 rainy days.

In contrast January, experiences much drier conditions, with 54 mm (2.1 in) of rainfall, spread across 11 rainy days.

September, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 32°C (90°F). The city receives 260 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 24°C (75°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Fort Lauderdale Temperature page.

Fort Lauderdale's average annual precipitation is 1553 mm (61 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Chicago, USA, sees an annual precipitation of 1062 mm (42 in), with rain and snow contributing to its humid climate.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm (39 in) of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.

Adelaide, Australia, enjoys 511 mm (20 in) of annual precipitation, with dry summers and wet winters.

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.

Climate change is affecting precipitation patterns worldwide, including Fort Lauderdale (FL):

• 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.

• 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 Fort Lauderdale (FL)'s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Fort Lauderdale (FL) Climate page.