San Rafael Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in San Rafael, Alajuela, Costa Rica. These values are calculated using 30 years of data (1990–2020) to ensure accuracy. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

San Rafael has a notably wet climate with abundant precipitation, recording 3136 mm (123 in) of rainfall per year. It does, however, have a distinct rainy season during certain months. Have a look at our detailed charts below to see how precipitation varies throughout the year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in San Rafael, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, October, receives heavy rainfall, with an average of 481 mm (19 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 23 rainy days.

October, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 25°C (77°F). The city receives 162 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 27°C (81°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our San Rafael Temperature page.

San Rafael's average annual precipitation is 3136 mm (123 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.

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

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.

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.

• "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 Rafael's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our San Rafael Climate page.