Gwangju Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Gwangju, South Korea. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Gwangju is known for its substantial rain/snowfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1298 mm (51 in). While the overall climate is wet, there are notable seasonal patterns that create interesting contrasts, as demonstrated in our graph below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The climate in Gwangju shows significant variation throughout the year. Expect 256 mm (10 in) of precipitation during the wettest month July, distributed over 15 rainy days.

In contrast, January offers drier and sunnier days, with around 34 mm (1.3 in) of snow/rainfall over 11 snowy/rainy days.

July, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 31°C (88°F). The city receives 147 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 6°C (43°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Gwangju Temperature page.

Gwangju's average annual precipitation is 1298 mm (51 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Lisbon, Portugal, the average annual precipitation is 774 mm (30 in), characterized by wet winters and dry summers typical of the Mediterranean climate.

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.

Bangkok, Thailand, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1668 mm (66 in) of annual rainfall, with the heaviest precipitation occurring during September and October.

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.

The proximity of a location to a large body of water can significantly affect its rainfall patterns:

• Ocean Influence: Coastal regions typically receive more rainfall due to the presence of moisture-laden winds from the ocean. These regions tend to have more humid climates and experience more frequent precipitation, especially in winter.
• Continental Climates: Areas further from the sea, such as inland or continental regions, experience less frequent rainfall and more extreme seasonal variations in precipitation.

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