Weather and climate in Beijing (China)

In Beijing, there is a continental climate, with cold, sunny winters and hot, sultry, and rainy summers. Like many areas of China, the city is affected by the monsoon circulation: in winter, cold currents from the northwest prevail, while in summer, they are replaced by hot and humid currents of tropical origin. Spring and autumn are transitional periods.
Air pollution is high, especially in winter.
The city is the capital of China and is located in the north-east of the country, at 40 degrees north latitude, and 140 km (85 mi) away from the Bohai Sea Coast.
Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 545 mm (21.5 inches) per year: the rains are not abundant, but they are concentrated in the summer months. Here is the average precipitation.

In winter, the average temperature is a few degrees below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F); sunshine is quite common, and a cold wind blows from the deserts of Mongolia. On colder periods, the temperature remains below freezing even during the day, and can drop to -15/-18 °C (0/5 °F) at night. In January 2021, the temperature dropped to -19.6 °C (-3.3 °F), the lowest value since 1966, when the record was set with -27.4 °C (-17.3 °F).
Although the winter is a dry season, sometimes it can snow.
In winter, and especially in spring (March to May), the city can be affected by yellow dust, coming from the deserts of Mongolia and Central Asia, which forms a characteristic haze and brings breathing problems and eye irritation. On the other hand, when the wind is weak and the air is stagnant, the city is hit hard by smog. This situation occurs more easily in winter, while in summer, it goes better because the heat usually causes rising currents, in addition, it can rain.

In spring, the temperature increases rapidly, so much so that it often exceeds 20 °C (68 °F) already in April, and the average maximum of May, around 27 °C (81 °F), confirms the precocity of warm weather. Also, there can be heat waves already in spring.

In June, it's already as hot as in the middle of summer, in fact, the maximum temperature in July and August does not increase any more. This happens because the summer monsoon arrives around mid-June, bringing rainfall, sometimes heavy, and high humidity. So, the summer in Beijing is hot, but especially muggy. July and August are the rainiest month.
However, the monsoon is quite irregular, here as in the north-eastern part of China, so the rains may be more or less abundant depending on year.
Even in summer, there may be entire weeks without rain, during which it can be very hot, with highs about 35 °C (95 °F), and with the perceived temperature exceeding 40 °C (104 °F) because of the humidity. However, a real temperature of 40 °C (104 °F) can sometimes be reached. The highest record is 42.2 °C (108 °F) and was set in July 1999.
To escape the summer heat, locals go to Beidaihe or generally along the coast of the Bohai Sea, where sea breezes temper the heat.

In autumn, the weather improves, rainfall decreases and becomes quite rare in October. By September, the humidity decreases and the temperature becomes pleasant, while in October, nights begin to be very cool.



The sun in Beijing shines quite often all year round, for a total of 2,500 hours. The least sunny months, at least in comparison to the length of the days, are July and August.

Near Beijing, the sea is very cold in winter, but it warms up a lot in summer, reaching 25 °C (77 °F) in August.

From July to early October (and occasionally also in the second half of June), Beijing can be affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of South-East Asia, although it is very rarely hit, in fact typhoons generally affect Korea and the easternmost part of northern China, besides, at these latitudes they arrive weakened.

Best Time

To avoid both the cold of winter and the heat and the rains of summer, the best times to visit Beijing are spring and autumn, and in particular, from mid-April to mid-May and from mid-September to mid-October.

Beijing - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -3.3 °C (26 °F), with a minimum of -8.9 °C (15.9 °F) and a maximum of 2.4 °C (36.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14 °C (7 °F). However, it dropped to -19 °C (-2.2 °F) in January 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it reached 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to only 3 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.1 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -6 °C (21.3 °F) and a maximum of 6.2 °C (43.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11 °F). However, it dropped to -16 °C (3.2 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in February 1996.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 40%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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March is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.7 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 29.5 °C (85.1 °F) in March 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 38%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.3 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.6 °F) and a maximum of 21 °C (69.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in April 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 41%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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May is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.4 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.4 °F) and a maximum of 27.3 °C (81.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 42 °C (107.6 °F) in May 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.9 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 19 °C (66.1 °F) and a maximum of 30.8 °C (87.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in June 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in June 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 22 °C (71.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.8 °C (89.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in July 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, it reached 42.2 °C (108 °F) in July 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25.8 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.9 °C (87.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 26.6 °C (79.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in September 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in September 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.6 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in October 2016.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of -1.2 °C (29.9 °F) and a maximum of 10.2 °C (50.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F) in November 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in November 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 13 mm (0.5 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -1.6 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -7 °C (19.3 °F) and a maximum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -18 °C (-0.4 °F) in December 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it reached 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) in December 1996.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).