Mumbai receives nearly double Seattle's annual rainfall in just four months.

The Indian Summer Monsoon is a massive weather system driven by the temperature difference between the heating Indian landmass and the cooler Indian Ocean. From June to September, Mumbai experiences a concentrated deluge that accounts for over 90% of its total yearly precipitation. While Seattle is famous for its frequent drizzle, its annual rainfall typically measures around 990 millimeters (39 inches).In contrast, Mumbai’s official weather station at Santacruz records an average of approximately 2,300 millimeters (90 inches) during the monsoon season alone. This phenomenon is largely due to orographic lift. When moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea hit the Western Ghats mountain range, the air is forced upward, where it cools and releases massive amounts of rain over the coastal plains.Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows that Mumbai often receives more rain in a single day than Seattle does in two months. For instance, on July 26, 2005, Mumbai recorded a staggering 944 millimeters (37 inches) of rain in just 24 hours. This intense concentration of water creates significant urban planning challenges compared to the steady but lighter precipitation patterns found in the Pacific Northwest.