Bakersfield (CA) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Bakersfield, California, United States of America. 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.

Bakersfield experiences desert-like conditions in terms of precipitation with almost no rainfall, generally receiving 135 mm (5.3 in) annually.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The seasons in Bakersfield, bring significant changes in precipitation. The wettest month, December, receives moderate rainfall, with an average of 34 mm (1.3 in) of precipitation. This rainfall is distributed across 6 rainy days.

December, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 15°C (59°F). The city receives 153 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month August you can expect a temperature of 36°C (97°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Bakersfield Temperature page.

Bakersfield's average annual precipitation is 135 mm (5.3 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Athens, Greece, receives an average annual precipitation of 400 mm (16 in), making it one of the drier Mediterranean climates with rainfall mostly in winter.

Osaka, Japan, experiences 1507 mm (59 in) of rainfall annually, spread across the year with wetter summers.

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual precipitation is 979 mm (39 in), making it wetter than Sydney.

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.

Precipitation has a very strong role in determining the local climate and ecosystem:

• 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.

• "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
• The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 20 cm (7.9 inches) thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
• The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA, over 31.5 meters (103 feet) fell during the winter of 1972.

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