La Paz Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in La Paz, La Paz Department, Bolivia. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

La Paz experiences significant rain/snowfall throughout the year, averaging 1134 mm (45 in) of precipitation annually. However, this abundant rainfall is not evenly distributed, with a distinct dry season during certain months. You can clearly see this in our monthly precipitation graphs below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

La Paz can be quite wet during January, receiving approximately 173 mm (6.8 in) of precipitation over 19 rainy days.

In contrast June, experiences much drier conditions, with 32 mm (1.3 in) of rainfall, spread across a single rainy day.

January, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 15°C (59°F). The city receives 186 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month June you can expect a temperature of 14°C (57°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our La Paz Temperature page.

La Paz's average annual precipitation is 1134 mm (45 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 620 mm (24 in), evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.

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.

Singapore, situated near the equator, gets 2581 mm (102 in) of rainfall annually, with no distinct dry season and consistent monthly precipitation.

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 La Paz:

• 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.

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