Sacramento (CA) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Sacramento, California, United States of America. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Sacramento has a relatively dry climate with low precipitation, averaging 437 mm (17 in) of rainfall annually. It experiences a distinct dry season during certain months. Refer to our detailed charts below to see the seasonal variation.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Sacramento can be quite wet during December, receiving approximately 95 mm (3.7 in) of precipitation over 11 rainy days.

In contrast August, experiences much drier conditions, with 0 mm (0 in) of rainfall, spread across 0 rainy days.

December, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 13°C (55°F). The city receives 141 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month August you can expect a temperature of 33°C (91°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Sacramento Temperature page.

Sacramento's average annual precipitation is 437 mm (17 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 620 mm (24 in), evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.

In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm (53 in), with a humid subtropical climate.

Adelaide, Australia, enjoys 511 mm (20 in) of annual precipitation, with dry summers and wet winters.

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.

Precipitation has a very strong role in determining the local climate and ecosystem:

• Changing Rainfall Patterns: Global warming causes drastic changes in the patterns of rainfall. Some areas have been experiencing increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, while other areas experience longer dry spells or even droughts.
• Local Impacts: Many regions are experiencing heavier rainfall in the winter months and drier, hotter summers. This affects agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.

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