West Des Moines (IA) Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in West Des Moines (IA). The numbers are calculated over a 30-year period to provide a reliable average. Now, let’s explore all the details to give you a full picture.

Generally, West Des Moines experiences moderate precipitation patterns, averaging 933 mm yearly.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in West Des Moines, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, June, receives high rainfall, with an average of 154 mm of precipitation.

This rainfall is distributed across 12 rainy days. In contrast, the driest month, January, experiences much less snowfall, totaling 21 mm over 7 snowy days. These distinct seasonal differences provide diverse experiences throughout the year.

June, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 28°C. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of -1°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our West Des Moines Temperature page.

Annual Precipitation in the United States of America

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.

Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide

West Des Moines’s average annual precipitation is 933 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

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

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

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

Singapore, situated near the equator, gets 2581 mm of rainfall annually, with no distinct dry season and consistent monthly precipitation.

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 West Des Moines (IA)’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our West Des Moines (IA) Climate page.