Rockford (IL) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Rockford, Illinois, United States of America. These averages rely on historical data collected over 30 years, from 1990 to 2020. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Generally, Rockford has a moderate amount of precipitation, averaging 997 mm (39 in) of rain/snowfall annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))

The seasons in Rockford, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, June, receives high rainfall, with an average of 138 mm (5.4 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 14 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, January, experiences much less snowfall, totaling 38 mm (1.5 in) over 10 snowy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

June, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 27°C (81°F). During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of -2°C (28°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Rockford Temperature page.

Annual Rainfall in the United States of America: City Comparison

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

Rockford vs World: Rainfall Compared

Rockford's average annual precipitation is 997 mm (39 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Athens, Greece, receives an average annual precipitation of 400 mm (16 in), making it one of the drier Mediterranean climates with rainfall mostly in winter.

Beijing, China, receives 560 mm (22 in) of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.

Perth, Australia, receives 565 mm (22 in) of rainfall annually, mostly during the winter months.

Mumbai, India, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1860 mm (73 in) of annual rainfall, with the majority of precipitation happening during the monsoon season from June to September.

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.

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