Saint Joseph (MO) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States of America. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.

Saint Joseph is known for its substantial rain/snowfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1011 mm (40 in). While the overall climate is wet, there are notable seasonal patterns that create interesting contrasts, as demonstrated in our graph below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in Saint Joseph, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, May, receives high rainfall, with an average of 135 mm (5.3 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 13 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, January, experiences much less snow/rainfall, totaling 18 mm (0.7 in) over 5 snowy/rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

May, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 24°C (75°F). The city receives 286 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 3°C (37°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Saint Joseph Temperature page.

Saint Joseph's average annual precipitation is 1011 mm (40 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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