Climate - Chengdu (Sichuan)

The climate of Chengdu is temperate, with relatively cold winters, and hot, muggy and rainy summers. Chengdu is the capital of the Sichuan Province and is located in southwestern China, at a fairly low latitude (at the 30th parallel), but also in a vast continental zone, 1,100 kilometers (685 miles) away from the sea, 500 meters (1,650 feet) above sea level, and a short distance from the mountains, so it is quite cold in winter, while in summer, it is not as hot as nearby Chongqing (which is famous for being a hot city).
Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 855 mm (34 in) per year; the only rainy season is from May to September, while in the rest of the year the rains are usually light. However, the sky is often cloudy, even when it is not raining. Here is the average rainfall.

Winter, from December to February, is not very cold on average, in fact, the average January temperature is 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, there may be cold periods, with temperatures remaining around 5 °C (41 °F) even during the day, and possibile light snowfalls. In any case, the sky is often cloudy.

Spring, from March to May, is initially mild, and becomes gradually warmer and rainier, with the first heat thunderstorms and the first summer-like days in May, and sometimes already in April.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is hot and sultry, even if the peaks of other Chinese cities are not reached. However, there can be very hot periods, especially in July and August, with highs around 36/37 °C (97/99 °F) and tropical nights. Rainfall occurs in the form of showers or thunderstorm, but the sky can be cloudy even when it doesn't rain.

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is initially mild, and gradually becomes cooler, and then quite cold at night by November. After the last thunderstorms of September, the rains become weak.



The amount of sunshine in Chengdu is poor or insufficient for most of the year; however, the sunniest period (albeit slightly) runs from April to August, with a peak precisely in August. Southwest China is the least sunny area of the country and one of the dullest in the world. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best times to visit Chengdu are spring and autumn, especially from late March to mid-May, and from mid-September to early November.
Those who can stand the heat can also choose the summer.

Chengdu - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Chengdu is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.5 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) and a maximum of 9.6 °C (49.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) in January 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in January 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 17% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).

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In February, the weather in Chengdu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.1 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.7 °C (27.1 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 16% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In March, the weather in Chengdu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.3 °C (63.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in March 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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In April, the weather in Chengdu is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in April 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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In May, the weather in Chengdu is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.9 °C (64.3 °F) and a maximum of 26.8 °C (80.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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In June, the weather in Chengdu is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.9 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21 °C (69.9 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in June 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 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 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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In July, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Chengdu is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.6 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 22.8 °C (73.1 °F) and a maximum of 30.5 °C (86.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it dropped to 18.1 °C (64.6 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in July 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 210 mm (8.3 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In August, the weather in Chengdu is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.4 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) and a maximum of 30.4 °C (86.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it dropped to 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) in August 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 39.2 °C (102.6 °F) in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 195 mm (7.7 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (3 mph).

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In September, the weather in Chengdu is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 22.7 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19.4 °C (66.8 °F) and a maximum of 26 °C (78.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in September 1997.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in September 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 21% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In October, the weather in Chengdu is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.1 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15.1 °C (59.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.1 °C (70 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in October 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in October 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 17% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In November, the weather in Chengdu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 10 °C (50.1 °F) and a maximum of 16.5 °C (61.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in November 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in November 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 18% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).

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In December, the weather in Chengdu is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.9 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) and a maximum of 11.1 °C (51.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 16% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).