, 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.
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.
, 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.
, from March to May, is initially mild, and then becomes gradually warmer. In May, there are already some hot, summer-like days.
, 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.
, in October and November, is initially mild, and gradually becomes cooler, and then quite cold at night by November. Rainfall is moderate.
(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.
, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia, can affect this area, though less so than in southern China.
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.
. Here are the average temperatures.
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
5 °C, with a minimum of
1.2 °C and a maximum of
8.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-4 °C. However, it dropped to
-8.2 °C in January 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
18 °C. However, it reached
25.2 °C in January 2017.
Precipitation amounts to
80 mm, 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 of
8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
8.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
7 °C, with a minimum of
2.9 °C and a maximum of
11.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2 °C. However, it dropped to
-4.2 °C in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
23 °C. However, it reached
28.5 °C in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to
90 mm, 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 of
8.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
6.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
11.1 °C, with a minimum of
6.6 °C and a maximum of
15.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
1 °C. However, it dropped to
-3 °C in March 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
27 °C. However, it reached
32.8 °C in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to
140 mm, 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 of
9.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
8.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
17 °C, with a minimum of
12 °C and a maximum of
22 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
6 °C. However, it dropped to
1 °C in April 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31.5 °C. However, it reached
34.8 °C in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to
125 mm, 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 of
8.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
11.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
22.1 °C, with a minimum of
17.3 °C and a maximum of
27 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
12 °C. However, it dropped to
9 °C in May 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34 °C. However, it reached
38 °C in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
130 mm, 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 of
8.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
17.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
June is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
25.3 °C, with a minimum of
21.3 °C and a maximum of
29.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
17.5 °C. However, it dropped to
14.7 °C in June 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
36 °C. However, it reached
38 °C in June 2000.
Precipitation amounts to
220 mm, 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 of
8.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
22.5 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
29.7 °C, with a minimum of
25.2 °C and a maximum of
34.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21.5 °C. However, it dropped to
17 °C in July 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
38.5 °C. However, it reached
41 °C in July 2017.
Precipitation amounts to
175 mm, 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 of
8.8 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
26.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
August is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
29.2 °C, with a minimum of
24.9 °C and a maximum of
33.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21 °C. However, it dropped to
16 °C in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
38 °C. However, it reached
41.2 °C in August 2013.
Precipitation amounts to
160 mm, 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 of
9.3 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
27.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
24.7 °C, with a minimum of
20.7 °C and a maximum of
28.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
16 °C. However, it dropped to
13 °C in September 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35.5 °C. However, it reached
39 °C in September 1995.
Precipitation amounts to
125 mm, 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 of
9.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
26.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.3 °C, with a minimum of
14.8 °C and a maximum of
23.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
9 °C. However, it dropped to
5 °C in October 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
30.5 °C. However, it reached
34 °C in October 2016.
Precipitation amounts to
80 mm, 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 of
8.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
22.6 °C. Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
13.2 °C, with a minimum of
8.7 °C and a maximum of
17.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
2.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-3 °C in November 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
26 °C. However, it reached
30.6 °C in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to
70 mm, 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 of
7.7 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
18.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
7.2 °C, with a minimum of
3 °C and a maximum of
11.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-3.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-9 °C in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
19 °C. However, it reached
24.2 °C in December 2012.
Precipitation amounts to
50 mm, 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 of
8.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
13.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.