Glasgow Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Glasgow, Strathclyde, United Kingdom. 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.

Glasgow has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1303 mm (51 in) of rain/snowfall per year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Precipitation levels in Glasgow remain relatively steady throughout the year. January has the most rain, with 132 mm (5.2 in) over 21 days. In April, this drops slightly to 86 mm (3.4 in), making the city's climate fairly predictable.

January, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 8°C (46°F). The city receives 37 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month April you can expect a temperature of 12°C (54°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Glasgow Temperature page.

Glasgow's average annual precipitation is 1303 mm (51 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm (21 in) of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.

In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm (53 in), with a humid subtropical climate.

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 Glasgow:

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