Reno (NV) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Reno, Nevada, United States of America. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Reno experiences desert-like conditions in terms of precipitation with almost no rain/snowfall, generally receiving 188 mm (7.4 in) annually.

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 snow/rainfall, averaging 30 mm (1.2 in) of precipitation, recorded across 7 snowy/rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, September brings less rainfall, with 2.7 mm (0.1 in) over 2 rainy days.

December, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 7°C (45°F). The city receives 187 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month September you can expect a temperature of 29°C (84°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Reno Temperature page.

Reno's average annual precipitation is 188 mm (7.4 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Chicago, USA, sees an annual precipitation of 1062 mm (42 in), with rain and snow contributing to its humid climate.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual precipitation is 979 mm (39 in), making it wetter than Sydney.

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.

The proximity of a location to a large body of water can significantly affect its rainfall patterns:

• Ocean Influence: Coastal regions typically receive more rainfall due to the presence of moisture-laden winds from the ocean. These regions tend to have more humid climates and experience more frequent precipitation, especially in winter.
• Continental Climates: Areas further from the sea, such as inland or continental regions, experience less frequent rainfall and more extreme seasonal variations in precipitation.

• 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 Reno (NV)'s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Reno (NV) Climate page.