Soweto Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Soweto, South Africa. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Now, let's break down all the details for a clearer picture.

On average, Soweto receives a reasonable amount of rainfall, with an annual precipitation of 809 mm (32 in). Despite this overall moderate level, the city experiences distinct dry season during certain months throughout the year, as illustrated in the precipitation charts below.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Soweto can be quite wet during December, receiving approximately 146 mm (5.7 in) of precipitation over 14 rainy days.

In contrast July, experiences much drier conditions, with 3.8 mm (0.1 in) of rainfall, spread across a single rainy day.

December, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 27°C (81°F). The city receives 264 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month July you can expect a temperature of 19°C (66°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Soweto Temperature page.

Soweto's average annual precipitation is 809 mm (32 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm (21 in) of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.

In Seoul, South Korea, the average annual precipitation is 1237 mm (49 in), with most rain falling during the summer monsoon season.

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual precipitation is 979 mm (39 in), making it wetter than Sydney.

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.

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.

• The U.S. has a significant number of thunderstorms every year, with over 14.6 million taking place across the world annually.
• Approximately 70% of lightning bolts strike land rather than oceans.
• A storm named John was the longest-lasting Pacific tropical storm, continuing for 31 days. As it crossed the dateline twice, it changed status from a hurricane to a typhoon and back to a hurricane.

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