how much rain did jamaica get
Jamaica has recently seen very heavy rainfall, especially linked to major weather systems, but the exact amount depends on the time period you mean.
Recent yearly rainfall
- In 2024, Jamaica’s average annual rainfall was about 1,985 mm, which was roughly 8% above the 30‑year average of 1,868 mm.
- This made 2024 one of the wetter years since 2017, when the average reached about 2,157 mm.
- Long‑term climate data suggest Jamaica typically averages around 1,900–2,000 mm of rain per year over the 20th–21st century record.
Big rain events
- During Hurricane Melissa in late October 2025, satellite estimates indicate central Jamaica received roughly 18–24 inches (about 450–600 mm) of rain over just a few days.
- For comparison, that single multi‑day event delivered close to a quarter of a typical year’s rainfall for some central areas.
Why news says “lots of rain”
- In 2024, two key months—July and November—each saw around 300–340 mm of rain on average across parishes, strongly influenced by Hurricane Beryl in July and Tropical Storm Rafael in November.
- Despite this, the rain was unevenly spread, so some regions still faced drought and water‑supply issues even after “above average” national totals.
Quick numbers table
| Period / Event | Approx. rainfall |
|---|---|
| Long‑term annual average (1901–2024) | ≈ 1,900–2,000 mm per year | [7]
| Year 2024 (islandwide average) | 1,985 mm (about 8% above 30‑year average) | [3]
| Hurricane Melissa (central Jamaica, Oct 23–29, 2025) | 18–24 inches (≈ 450–600 mm) over a few days | [1][5]
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.