Istanbul Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Istanbul. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Now, let’s explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Generally, Istanbul experiences moderate precipitation patterns, averaging 730 mm yearly.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wet season, December receives substantial rainfall, averaging 103 mm of precipitation, recorded across 17 rainy days.

In contrast, the drier season, August brings less rainfall, with 24 mm over 5 rainy days.

December, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 12°C. The city receives 61 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month August you can expect a temperature of 29°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Istanbul Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Turkey

The map below shows the annual precipitation across Turkey. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Istanbul’s average annual precipitation is 730 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 644 mm, evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.

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

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

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

How is Precipitation Measured?

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.

Interesting weather facts

• "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 wide and 20 cm 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 fell during the winter of 1972.

For more detailed information about Istanbul’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Istanbul Climate page.