Grand Forks (ND) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States of America. These values are calculated using 30 years of data (1990–2020) to ensure accuracy. Now, let's break down all the details for a clearer picture.

On average, Grand Forks receives a reasonable amount of rain/snowfall, with an annual precipitation of 575 mm (23 in). Despite this overall moderate level, the city experiences distinct dry season during certain months throughout the year, as illustrated in the precipitation charts below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in Grand Forks, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, June, receives moderate rainfall, with an average of 92 mm (3.6 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 14 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, February, experiences much less snowfall, totaling 15 mm (0.6 in) over 7 snowy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

June, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 24°C (75°F). During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of -8°C (18°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Grand Forks Temperature page.

Annual Rainfall in the United States of America: City Comparison

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.

Grand Forks vs World: Rainfall Compared

Grand Forks's average annual precipitation is 575 mm (23 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Athens, Greece, receives an average annual precipitation of 400 mm (16 in), making it one of the drier Mediterranean climates with rainfall mostly in winter.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm (100 in) of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.

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.

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 (118 in) of rain annually.

Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm (9.8 in) 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 (7.9 in), with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm (2 in) annually.

• 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 Grand Forks (ND)'s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Grand Forks (ND) Climate page.