This blog post will explore the monthly average rainfall in Dallas and the highest recorded rainfall.

Annual Average Rainy Days

Dallas experiences an average of about 39 days of rain per year. This is considered moderate compared to other major cities in Texas. Rainfall mainly occurs in spring and fall, with sudden downpours due to thunderstorms being characteristic in summer. Winter tends to be relatively dry, but rain can occasionally occur with cold snaps.

Monthly Average Rainfall

The monthly average rainfall in Dallas varies somewhat by season. The average rainfall for each month is as follows:

• January: About 3.5 inches of rain.
• February: About 3.2 inches of rain.
• March: About 3.9 inches of rain.
• April: About 3.0 inches of rain.
• May: About 3.8 inches of rain.
• June: About 4.5 inches of rain.
• July: About 4.3 inches of rain.
• August: About 4.0 inches of rain.
• September: About 3.6 inches of rain.
• October: About 3.0 inches of rain.
• November: About 3.2 inches of rain.
• December: About 3.3 inches of rain.

Characteristics:

• Spring (March to May): Spring is a time when rainfall gradually increases. Particularly in March and May, strong thunderstorms and heavy downpours can occur, leading to rapid weather changes.

• Summer (June to August): Summer is the season with the highest recorded rainfall in Dallas. Due to high temperatures and humidity, sudden weather changes like thunderstorms frequently occur.

• Fall (September to November): Fall still sees significant rainfall, but gradually transitions to drier weather. Particularly in September, the influence of hurricane season can lead to increased rainfall.

• Winter (December to February): Winter is relatively dry, with lower rainfall amounts. However, rain can occasionally occur with cold snaps, which can put a strain on the local drainage system.

Highest Recorded Rainfall

The highest recorded rainfall in Dallas occurred during a tornado on May 19, 2015, with 10.27 inches (about 261mm) of rain. This rainfall resulted from concentrated precipitation over a short period, causing severe flooding throughout the city.

Major impacts:

• Flooding: Roads and homes were flooded, leading to traffic paralysis and residential damage.
• Infrastructure damage: The drainage system and other urban infrastructure suffered significant damage, requiring a long time for recovery.
• Casualties: Several casualties were reported due to incidents related to flooding from the rainfall.

With an average of 39 rainy days per year and monthly average rainfall varying by season, extreme weather events like the record rainfall in 2015 can also occur.