Santa Fe (NM) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Santa Fe tends toward drier weather patterns, receiving approximately 357 mm (14 in) of rain/snow per year. The city experiences a distinct dry season during certain months, contributing to seasonal contrasts shown in the charts below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Santa Fe can be quite wet during July, receiving approximately 66 mm (2.6 in) of precipitation over 18 rainy days.

In contrast February, experiences much drier conditions, with 13 mm (0.5 in) of snow/rainfall, spread across 5 snowy/rainy days.

July, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 29°C (84°F). The city receives 331 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 8°C (46°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Santa Fe Temperature page.

Santa Fe's average annual precipitation is 357 mm (14 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

The climate in San Francisco, USA, is influenced by coastal weather, with 469 mm (18 in) of rainfall mostly during the winter months.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

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

Bangkok, Thailand, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1668 mm (66 in) of annual rainfall, with the heaviest precipitation occurring during September and October.

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.

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