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

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

Papeete has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 1881 mm of rainfall per year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Papeete can be quite wet during December, receiving approximately 290 mm of precipitation over 11 rainy days.

In contrast August, experiences much drier conditions, with 67 mm of rainfall, spread across 13 rainy days.

December, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 28°C. During the driest month August you can expect a temperature of 26°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Papeete Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in French Polynesia

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Papeete’s average annual precipitation is 1881 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Toronto, Canada, annual precipitation averages [964 mm], with snowy winters and rainy summers.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.

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.

Global Precipitation Patterns

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 of rain annually.

Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm 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, with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm annually.

For more detailed information about Papeete’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Papeete Climate page.