San Diego (CA) Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

This page shows the average amount of rainfall per month in San Diego (CA). 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.

San Diego is known for its low rainfall, with yearly precipitation amounts around 226 mm.

Monthly Precipitation Levels

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

The climate in San Diego shows significant variation throughout the year. Expect 59 mm of precipitation during the wettest month December, distributed over 7 rainy days.

In contrast, June offers drier and sunnier days, with around 0.4 mm of rainfall over a single rainy day.

December, the city’s wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 19°C. During the driest month June you can expect a temperature of 22°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our San Diego 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

San Diego’s average annual precipitation is 226 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Boston, USA, experiences 1238 mm of annual precipitation, including significant snowfall during the winter.

Beijing, China, receives 560 mm of annual precipitation, concentrated in the summer months.

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

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.

Interesting weather facts

• Mawsynram in India is noted as being the wettest place on earth, with over 11 meters of rain falling every year.
• In contrast, Antofagasta in Chile is among the driest places on the planet, getting less than 0.1mm 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 San Diego (CA)’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our San Diego (CA) Climate page.