Lagos Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.
With annual rainfall averaging 495 mm (19 in), Lagos maintains relatively low precipitation levels throughout the seasons. However, it does have a distinct dry season during certain months, creating distinct patterns as demonstrated in our detailed graph below.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wettest month, December receives substantial rainfall, averaging 84 mm (3.3 in) of precipitation, recorded across 11 rainy days.
In contrast, the driest month, July brings less rainfall, with 1.3 mm (0.1 in) over a single rainy day.December, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 17°C (63°F). The city receives 166 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month July you can expect a temperature of 26°C (79°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Lagos Temperature page.
Daily Historical Precipitation
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in May
Explore Lagos's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Lagos spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in Portugal: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Portugal. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Lagos vs World: Rainfall Compared
Lagos's average annual precipitation is 495 mm (19 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
Boston, USA, experiences 1238 mm (49 in) of annual precipitation, including significant snowfall during the winter.
In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm (53 in), with a humid subtropical climate.
Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm (22 in) of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.
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.
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.
- 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 Lagos's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Lagos Climate page.
