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

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Jaffna. 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.

Jaffna has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1182 mm of rainfall annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in Jaffna, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, November, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 313 mm of precipitation.

This rainfall is distributed across 12 rainy days. In contrast, the driest month, March, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 27 mm over 2 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

November, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 29°C. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 31°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Jaffna Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Sri Lanka

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Jaffna’s average annual precipitation is 1182 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

The climate in San Francisco, USA, is influenced by coastal weather, with 469 mm of rainfall mostly during the winter months.

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

Adelaide, Australia, enjoys 511 mm of annual precipitation, with dry summers and wet winters.

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

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 Jaffna’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Jaffna Climate page.