Umtata Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Umtata, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Now, let's explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Umtata has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1061 mm (42 in) of rainfall annually. Despite the high annual total, it does experience a distinct dry season during certain months. Examine our detailed charts below to understand these seasonal patterns.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

Umtata can be quite wet during January, receiving approximately 149 mm (5.9 in) of precipitation over 15 rainy days.

In contrast July, experiences much drier conditions, with 25 mm (1 in) of rainfall, spread across 4 rainy days.

January, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 27°C (81°F). During the driest month July you can expect a temperature of 22°C (72°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Umtata Temperature page.

Umtata's average annual precipitation is 1061 mm (42 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

The climate in San Francisco, USA, is influenced by coastal weather, with 469 mm (18 in) of rainfall mostly during the winter months.

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.

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.

• Mawsynram in India is noted as being the wettest place on earth, with over 11 meters (36 feet) of rain falling every year.
• In contrast, Antofagasta in Chile is among the driest places on the planet, getting less than 0.1mm (0.004 inches) per year, with some years recording virtually no rainfall.
• Nearly 1,650 thunderstorm cells are estimated over the planet at any given time.

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