Climate - Hangzhou (China)

The climate of Hangzhou (or Hangchow) is temperate, with relatively cold winters, and hot, muggy and rainy summers. Hangzhou is a megalopolis located in eastern China, in the Zhejiang Province, at 30 degrees north latitude, at the mouth of the Qiantang River, which then opens in Hangzhou Bay. 150 km (95 mi) north-east of the city we find Shanghai, while to the northwest, we find Nanjing.
Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation is quite abundant, and amounts to 1,400 millimeters (57 inches) per year; there is no real dry season, however, rainfall drops below 100 mm (4 in) per month from October to February. Summer, when the rains occur mainly in the form of showers or thunderstorms, is the rainiest season. Here is the average rainfall.

Winter, from December to February, is quite cold: the average January temperature is 5 °C (41 °F). There can be cold periods, with highs around 5 °C (41 °F) or below, during which even snow may fall. In January 2016, the temperature dropped to -8 °C (17.5 °F). In constrast, in other periods, the temperatures are mild, around 15 °C (59 °F). Sunny days are a bit more frequent in December, then they become rarer. At night, fog can form.

Spring, from March to May, is initially mild, and then becomes gradually warmer. In May, there are already some hot, summer-like days.

Summer, from June to September, is hot and muggy. The heat island effect of the big city and the humidity from the sea make the heat uncomfortable, especially in July and August. June is the rainiest month of the year. Periods of good weather can be sweltering, especially in July and August, with highs around 37/38 °C (99/100 °F) or higher, and tropical nights. In August 2013 and in July 2017, 41 °C (106 °F) were recorded.

Autumn, in October and November, is initially mild, and gradually becomes cooler, and then quite cold at night by November. Rainfall is moderate.



The amount of sunshine in Hangzhou is not very good; however, it is decent in July and August, while it is poorer from January to March.

Near Hangzhou, the sea (East China Sea), cold in winter, becomes warm enough for swimming from July to September; in June and October, it is a bit cool, but basically acceptable.

From time to time, from June to early November, typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia, can affect this area, though less so than in southern China.

Best Time

It is not easy to find the best time to visit Hangzhou. As the spring is more rainy, you can choose autumn, especially from the end of September to the beginning of November, which is generally a mild or pleasantly warm period; it must be said that the arrival of a typhoon can not be excluded.

Hangzhou - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020
(January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December)

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 5.0 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 8.7 °C (47.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, in January 2016, it dropped to -8.2 °C (17.2 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, in January 2017, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
On average, there are 100 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 3.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 73%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F).

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In February, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 7.0 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) and a maximum of 11.1 °C (52 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, in February 1996, it dropped to -4.2 °C (24.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, in February 2009, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
On average, there are 95 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 3.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 71%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44 °F).

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In March, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 11.1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) and a maximum of 15.6 °C (60.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, in March 2010, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, in March 2007, it reached 32.8 °C (91 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 15 days.
On average, there are 115 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4 hours per day.
The average humidity is 71%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46.5 °F).

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In April, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 17.0 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.6 °F) and a maximum of 22 °C (71.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, in April 1991, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, in April 2011, it reached 34.8 °C (94.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 15 days.
On average, there are 140 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F).

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In May, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 22.1 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.3 °C (63.1 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F). However, in May 1991, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, in May 2018, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
On average, there are 165 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F).

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In June, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 25.3 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 21.3 °C (70.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.3 °C (84.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, in June 1996, it dropped to 14.7 °C (58.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, in June 2000, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 220 mm (8.7 in), distributed over 15 days.
On average, there are 135 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 77%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 29.7 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) and a maximum of 34.1 °C (93.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, in July 2015, it dropped to 17 °C (62.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F). However, in July 2017, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
On average, there are 215 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 72%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F).

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In August, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 29.2 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 24.9 °C (76.9 °F) and a maximum of 33.4 °C (92.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F). However, in August 1998, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100.5 °F). However, in August 2013, it reached 41.2 °C (106.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 160 mm (6.3 in), distributed over 14 days.
On average, there are 195 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 74%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).

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In September, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 24.7 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, in September 1997, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, in September 1995, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
On average, there are 145 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 75%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F).

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In October, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, in October 1997, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87.5 °F). However, in October 2016, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 145 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 72%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).

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In November, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, in November 1993, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, in November 2003, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 130 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 73%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F).

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In December, the average temperature in Hangzhou is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3 °C (37.5 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, in December 1991, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, in December 2012, it reached 24.2 °C (75.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 130 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4 hours per day.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F).