Tarrafal Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Tarrafal, Santiago Island, Cape Verde. These values are calculated using 30 years of data (1990–2020) to ensure accuracy. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.

Tarrafal sits in an arid zone with minimal moisture, averaging 171 mm (6.7 in) of rainfall per year.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. During the wettest month, September receives substantial rainfall, averaging 68 mm (2.7 in) of precipitation, recorded across 7 rainy days.

In contrast, the driest month, March brings less rainfall, with 0.8 mm (0.03 in) over 3 rainy days.

September, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 28°C (82°F). The city receives 219 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month March you can expect a temperature of 24°C (75°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Tarrafal Temperature page.

Tarrafal's average annual precipitation is 171 mm (6.7 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.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm (39 in) of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

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.

Climate change is affecting precipitation patterns worldwide, including Tarrafal:

• 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.

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