Weather and climate in Hangzhou (Zhejiang)

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

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature 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, it dropped to -8.2 °C (17.2 °F) in January 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) in January 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature 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, it dropped to -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature 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, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in March 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 32.8 °C (91 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature 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, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 34.8 °C (94.6 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature 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, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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June is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature 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, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in June 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 220 mm (8.7 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 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature 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, it dropped to 17 °C (62.6 °F) in July 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101.5 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in July 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature 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, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100.5 °F). However, it reached 41.2 °C (106.2 °F) in August 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 160 mm (6.3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature 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, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in September 1997.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in September 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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October is generally a warm month. The average temperature 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, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in October 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature 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, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature 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, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) in December 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 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 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.