San Francisco Sets New August 16th Precipitation Record with 0.02 Inches

Downtown San Francisco experienced a rare meteorological event on August 16th, setting a new daily precipitation record with a measurement of 0.02 inches. This unusual occurrence for the typically arid summer month was announced by the NWS Bay Area on social media, stating, "Downtown San Francisco broke its daily precipitation record for August 16th. The record? 0.02". The previous record? 0.01" in 2020 and 1941.

August is historically one of the driest months for San Francisco, a city known for its distinctive Mediterranean climate characterized by dry, warm summers and mild, wet winters. Meteorological data from various sources consistently shows that average rainfall for the entire month of August is often negligible, frequently registering around 0.0 to 0.1 inches. This makes any measurable precipitation during this period particularly noteworthy.

The newly established record of 0.02 inches marginally surpasses the previous August 16th benchmark of 0.01 inches, which had stood for decades, last recorded in both 2020 and 1941. This minimal increase in recorded rainfall underscores the extreme scarcity of precipitation during this specific summer period in the city's climate history.

While the amount of rainfall is undeniably small, the breaking of such a long-standing record highlights the unusual nature of the event within San Francisco's typical summer weather patterns. It serves as a reminder of the delicate balance of water resources in the region, even as the city navigates its characteristic summer dryness.

The National Weather Service Bay Area, through its social media announcement, effectively communicated this subtle yet significant climatic update to the public. This record, though minor in quantity, contributes to the long-term meteorological data that helps track regional weather patterns and potential shifts in climate.