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

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Quetzaltenango. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.

Quetzaltenango is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 2856 mm.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in Quetzaltenango, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, May, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 461 mm of precipitation.

This rainfall is distributed across 16 rainy days. In contrast, the driest month, January, experiences much less rainfall, totaling 34 mm over 5 rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

May, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 23°C and receives 195 hours of sunshine. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 22°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Quetzaltenango Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Guatemala

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

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Quetzaltenango’s average annual precipitation is 2856 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Athens, Greece, receives an average annual precipitation of 400 mm, making it one of the drier Mediterranean climates with rainfall mostly in winter.

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

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

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.

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