Galway Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Galway, Galway County, Ireland. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.
Galway has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1158 mm (46 in) of rainfall annually.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Year-round, Galway has a balanced climate with minimal variation in precipitation. The difference between the wettest month, December, with 113 mm (4.4 in), and the driest month, April, with 85 mm (3.3 in), is minimal.
December, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 10°C (50°F). The city receives 35 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month April you can expect a temperature of 14°C (57°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Galway Temperature page.
Daily Historical Precipitation
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in May
Explore Galway's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Galway spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Ireland: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Ireland. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Galway vs World: Rainfall Compared
Galway's average annual precipitation is 1158 mm (46 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.
Beijing, China, receives 560 mm (22 in) of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.
Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm (22 in) of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.
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 Galway:
- 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.
- The U.S. has a significant number of thunderstorms every year, with over 14.6 million taking place across the world annually.
- Approximately 70% of lightning bolts strike land rather than oceans.
- A storm named John was the longest-lasting Pacific tropical storm, continuing for 31 days. As it crossed the dateline twice, it changed status from a hurricane to a typhoon and back to a hurricane.
For more detailed information about Galway's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Galway Climate page.
