Gaborone Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Gaborone, Botswana. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.
With annual rainfall averaging 477 mm (19 in), Gaborone maintains relatively low precipitation levels throughout the seasons. However, it does have a distinct dry season during certain months, creating distinct patterns as demonstrated in our detailed graph below.
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, January receives substantial rainfall, averaging 87 mm (3.4 in) of precipitation, recorded across 11 rainy days.
In contrast, the driest month, July brings less rainfall, with 2.4 mm (0.1 in) over 0 rainy days.
January, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 32°C (90°F). The city receives 288 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month July you can expect a temperature of 23°C (73°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Gaborone Temperature page.
Explore Gaborone's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Gaborone spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Botswana: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Botswana. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
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Gaborone vs World: Rainfall Compared
Gaborone's average annual precipitation is 477 mm (19 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.
In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm (53 in), with a humid subtropical climate.
Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm (77 in) of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.
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.
- "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 Gaborone's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Gaborone Climate page.
