Portland (ME) Rainfall & Precipitation: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Portland, Maine, United States of America. Long-term data from 1990 to 2020 was used to calculate these averages. Now, let’s break down all the details for a clearer picture.
Portland has a relatively rain/snowy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1415 mm of rain/snowfall annually.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm)
The amount of precipitation varies moderately throughout the year. The wettest month, June, sees around 156 mm of rainfall, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of rain now and then. The driest month, January, still receives a respectable 87 mm of snowfall.
June, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 22°C. The city receives 258 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 0°C. For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, visit our Portland 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.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Amsterdam Precipitation Compared World Wide
Portland’s average annual precipitation is 1415 mm. Let’s compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 644 mm, evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.
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.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, receives 1955 mm of annual rainfall, with a pronounced wet season from May to November, typical of its tropical monsoon climate.
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
- 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 Portland (ME)’s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Portland (ME) Climate page.
Current rainfall in Portland (ME)
