Sterling (CO) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Sterling, Colorado, United States of America. These averages rely on historical data collected over 30 years, from 1990 to 2020. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Sterling has a relatively dry climate with low precipitation, averaging 433 mm (17 in) of rain/snowfall annually. It experiences a distinct dry season during certain months. Refer to our detailed charts below to see the seasonal variation.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in Sterling, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, July, receives moderate rainfall, with an average of 78 mm (3.1 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 12 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, January, experiences much less snow/rainfall, totaling 6 mm (0.2 in) over 3 snowy/rainy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

July, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 33°C (91°F). During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 6°C (43°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Sterling Temperature page.

Sterling's average annual precipitation is 433 mm (17 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 644 mm (25 in), evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.

Beijing, China, receives 560 mm (22 in) of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.

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

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.

Climate change is affecting precipitation patterns worldwide, including Sterling (CO):

• Changing Rainfall Patterns: Global warming causes drastic changes in the patterns of rainfall. Some areas have been experiencing increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, while other areas experience longer dry spells or even droughts.
• Local Impacts: Many regions are experiencing heavier rainfall in the winter months and drier, hotter summers. This affects agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.

• "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 Sterling (CO)'s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Sterling (CO) Climate page.