Using the data from 157 manual observation stations and AWS’s, the spatial and temporal characteristics of the shortlasting heavy rainfall in Beijing are analyzed. The results show that: (1) The number of shortlasting heavy rainfall events increased generally from 2007 to 2012 There are large differences among years. (2) From the spatial and temporal characteristics, it is found that the shortlasting heavy rainfall occurred more frequently in July, evening and early morning, in the plain area in front of the Xishan mountain, including the central and east parts of Changping, the western Shunyi, Shijingsha, western Fengtai, and southeastern Fangshan districts. (3) The relationship between shortlasting heavy rainfall and annual total rainfall is examined, and it is found that the annual total rainfall was larger in the year with more shortlasting heavy rainfall events, and the shortlasting heavy rainfall made an important contribution to annual total rainfall.