San José Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in San José. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.

San José is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 3381 mm.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

San José can be quite wet during October, receiving approximately 490 mm of precipitation over 23 rainy days.

In contrast March, experiences much drier conditions, with 61 mm of rainfall, spread across 8 rainy days.

October, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 24°C and receives 162 hours of sunshine. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 25°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our San José Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in Costa Rica

The map below shows the annual precipitation across Costa Rica. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

San José’s average annual precipitation is 3381 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

The city of Rome, Italy, has an average annual precipitation of 832 mm, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

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

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

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.

How is Precipitation Measured?

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.

Sea vs. Land Precipitation

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.

For more detailed information about San José’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our San José Climate page.