RAINFALL

Rainfall is the most important climatic element in the Philippines.

Rainfall distribution throughout the country varies from one region to
another, depending upon the direction of the moisture-bearing winds
and the location of the mountain systems.

The mean annual rainfall of the Philippines varies from 965 to 4,064
millimeters annually. Baguio City, eastern Samar, and eastern Surigao
receive the greatest amount of rainfall while the southern portion of
Cotabato receives the least amount of rain. At General Santos City in
Cotabato, the average annual rainfall is only 978 millimeters.

What is "Normal" Precipitation?

"Normal" precipitation does not equal "what you should expect." "Normal" precipitation to a meteorologist is an
average of the precipitation values over a 30-year period. Precipitation may very often be either well above or well
below the seasonal average, or "normal."

For example:

In the Nebraska Panhandle, for the month of April, the average or "normal" precipitation is 1.75 inches.  However, as
you can see in the graph, between 1980 and 2008, the Nebraska Panhandle received about 1.75 inches (+ or - .25
inches) of precipitation in April only five times!

Reference: "Understanding Weather Normals" by Jack Williams, USAToday.com; NDMC "Drought Indices"