Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a rainfall sensor having a rainfall analyzer configured to induce transmitted electromagnetic waves that are guided by a transmission medium to propagate along the transmission medium, wherein the transmitted electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the rainfall analyzer receives reflected electromagnetic waves from the transmission medium in response to the transmitted electromagnetic waves and wherein the rainfall analyzer analyzes the reflected electromagnetic waves and generates rainfall data in response thereto. Other embodiments are disclosed.