Palmerston North Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

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

Palmerston North is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1188 mm.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

While rainfall varies throughout the year, each season offers its own charm. October brings wetter days averaging 128 mm of precipitation, spread over 15 rainy days.

In contrast, March experiences a drier climate, with about 72 mm of rainfall spread across 11 rainy days.

October, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 17°C. The city receives 145 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 21°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Palmerston North Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in New Zealand

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Palmerston North’s average annual precipitation is 1188 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

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

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

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual precipitation is 1528 mm, with significant summer rains due to typhoon season.

Mumbai, India, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1860 mm of annual rainfall, with the majority of precipitation happening during the monsoon season from June to September.

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

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