Locarno Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Locarno, Canton of Ticino, Switzerland. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Locarno has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1717 mm (68 in) of rain/snowfall per year. It does, however, have a distinct rainy season during certain months. Have a look at our detailed charts below to see how precipitation varies throughout the year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Locarno can be quite wet during October, receiving approximately 197 mm (7.8 in) of precipitation over 13 rainy days.

In contrast February, experiences much drier conditions, with 76 mm (3 in) of snow/rainfall, spread across 13 snowy/rainy days.

October, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 13°C (55°F). The city receives 154 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 5°C (41°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Locarno Temperature page.

Locarno's average annual precipitation is 1717 mm (68 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

The climate in San Francisco, USA, is influenced by coastal weather, with 469 mm (18 in) of rainfall mostly during the winter months.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm (39 in) of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.

Adelaide, Australia, enjoys 511 mm (20 in) of annual precipitation, with dry summers and wet winters.

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.

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