Richmond Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Richmond, Karoo, South Africa. This average is based on long-term data collected between 1990 and 2020. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.
Richmond typically sees modest rain/snowfall throughout the year, with an average annual precipitation of 381 mm (15 in). The city experiences a distinct dry season during certain months, as illustrated in the graph below.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Richmond can be quite wet during January, receiving approximately 58 mm (2.3 in) of precipitation over 6 rainy days.
In contrast July, experiences much drier conditions, with 14 mm (0.6 in) of rainfall, spread across 3 rainy days.
January, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 31°C (88°F). During the driest month July you can expect a temperature of 16°C (61°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Richmond Temperature page.
Annual Rainfall in South Africa: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across South Africa. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Richmond vs World: Rainfall Compared
Richmond's average annual precipitation is 381 mm (15 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
New York City, USA, receives 1276 mm (50 in) of rainfall annually, with precipitation evenly distributed throughout the year.
Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.
Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm (22 in) of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.
Singapore, situated near the equator, gets 2581 mm (102 in) of rainfall annually, with no distinct dry season and consistent monthly precipitation.
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.
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 (118 in) of rain annually.
Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm (9.8 in) 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 (7.9 in), with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm (2 in) annually.
- "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
- The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 20 cm (7.9 inches) thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
- The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA—over 31.5 meters (103 feet) fell during the winter of 1972.
For more detailed information about Richmond's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Richmond Climate page.
