Tarrafal Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in Tarrafal. The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.

Tarrafal experiences desert-like conditions in terms of precipitation with almost no rainfall, generally receiving 171 mm annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Tarrafal can be quite wet during September, receiving approximately 68 mm of precipitation over 7 rainy days.

In contrast March, experiences much drier conditions, with 0.8 mm of rainfall, spread across 3 rainy days.

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

Annual Precipitation in Cape Verde

The map below shows the annual precipitation across Cape Verde. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

Tarrafal’s average annual precipitation is 171 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

New York City, USA, receives 1276 mm of rainfall annually, with precipitation evenly distributed throughout the year.

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

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual precipitation is 1528 mm, with significant summer rains due to typhoon season.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.

How is Precipitation Measured?

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.

Global Precipitation Patterns

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 of rain annually.

Desert Regions: Deserts such as the Sahara and Arabian deserts typically see less than 250 mm 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, with some areas receiving as little as 50 mm annually.

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