Watford City (ND) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Watford City, North Dakota, United States of America. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.
Watford City has a relatively dry climate with low precipitation, averaging 431 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))
Watford City can be quite wet during May, receiving approximately 84 mm (3.3 in) of precipitation over 12 rainy days.
In contrast January, experiences much drier conditions, with 11 mm (0.4 in) of snowfall, spread across 7 snowy days.
May, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 19°C (66°F). During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of -3°C (27°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Watford City Temperature page.
Annual Rainfall in the United States of America: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Watford City vs World: Rainfall Compared
Watford City's average annual precipitation is 431 mm (17 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
New York City, USA, receives 1276 mm (50 in) of rainfall annually, with precipitation evenly distributed throughout the year.
In Shanghai, China, the annual average precipitation is 1347 mm (53 in), with a humid subtropical climate.
In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual precipitation is 1528 mm (60 in), with significant summer rains due to typhoon season.
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.
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 Watford City (ND)'s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Watford City (ND) Climate page.