|
Bermuda’s annual rainfall between the years 1852 and 1990, compiled from various locations, averaged 57.4" (1458 mm). A shorter record from 1949 to 2006 measured at the present Bermuda weather station, located at the Airport at the east end of the island, produced only a slightly lower average of 56.2" (1427 mm). The maximum annual rainfall, to date, of 89.6" (2276 mm) was recorded near the center of the main island, at Prospect, in 1902 and the minimum of 37.1" (942 mm) was recorded at the Airport in 1975.
As shown in the chart below, the long term averages of monthly rainfalls lie within a narrow range, the driest month being April with 3.85" (98 mm) and the wettest being October with 6.39" (162 mm). All of the other 10 months have averages between 4.0" and 5.5" (100 - 140 mm). Such consistency of rainfall throughout the year is largely responsible for the success of rain water "harvesting" practiced by Bermudian households, each of which has a roof catchment and large underground storage tank as a primary source of water for domestic purposes.
April, May, June and July are the months in which low rainfall totals are most likely to occur. For example, 14% of Aprils have rainfalls of less than 2” (51 cm) (Macky, 1957). The most testing drought conditions occur when consecutive months experience low rainfalls, such as the 6 months of February to August 1989, in which no monthly total exceeded 2.3” and the average was just 2.0” (51 mm).
Maximum monthly rainfall totals occur in August, September and October with the record of 21.33" (542 mm) being held by August 1902 (Macky, 1957).
Fuehervner….vvvvvvvvvvvvvdsafc ddfqf wf |
