San José Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in San José, Peten, Guatemala. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.
San José is known for its substantial rainfall, with annual precipitation reaching 1388 mm (55 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))
Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wettest month, September receives substantial rainfall, averaging 252 mm (9.9 in) of precipitation, recorded across 17 rainy days.
In contrast, the driest month, February brings less rainfall, with 24 mm (0.9 in) over 8 rainy days.
September, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 33°C (91°F). During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 32°C (90°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our San José Temperature page.
Annual Rainfall in Guatemala: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across Guatemala. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
San José vs World: Rainfall Compared
San José's average annual precipitation is 1388 mm (55 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.
Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm (100 in) of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.
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 San José's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our San José Climate page.
