Sheffield Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.
Generally, Sheffield has a moderate amount of precipitation, averaging 886 mm (35 in) of rain/snowfall annually.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Year-round, Sheffield has a balanced climate with minimal variation in precipitation. The difference between the wettest month, June, with 88 mm (3.5 in), and the driest month, March, with 63 mm (2.5 in), is minimal.
June, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 19°C (66°F). The city receives 178 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 10°C (50°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Sheffield Temperature page.
Annual Rainfall in the United Kingdom: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across the United Kingdom. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
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Sheffield vs World: Rainfall Compared
Sheffield's average annual precipitation is 886 mm (35 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.
Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
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 Sheffield's weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Sheffield Climate page.
