Climate - Jiuquan (Gansu)

The climate of Jiuquan (formerly Suzhou) is desert continental, with very cold winters and hot summers.
The city is located in the north of China, at almost 40 degrees north latitude and 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) above sea level, in the northwest of the Gansu province. A short distance away are the Jiayuguan Fort (or Jiayu Pass), where the westernmost lookout tower of the Great Wall is located, and the nearby city of Jiayuguan.
We are in the southern part of the Gobi desert, which is limited to the south by the Qilian mountains, with peaks that exceed 5,000 meters (16,400 feet).
The winter is dry and sunny. Even though the temperatures are low, snowfalls are rare. During the most intense cold spells, the temperature can drop to around -25 °C (-13 °F).
In January 2008, the average minimum temperature was -19.8 °C (-3.6 °F), while in December 1991, the temperature dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F).
The summer is hot and sunny, however, it is the relatively rainiest season of the year. In fact, there may be some periods in which some thunderstorms can break out, and some cool days, with highs below 20 °C (68 °F). In good weather, on the other hand, it can get very hot.

Best Time

To visit Jiuquan you can choose the period from mid-May to mid-September. In July and August, temperatures are generally acceptable, but it can get very hot at times.

Jiuquan - Climate data

In Jiuquan, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -8.7 °C (16.3 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22.2 °C (71.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Jiuquan, precipitation amounts to 90 millimeters (3.5 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from 1 mm (0 in) in the driest month (February) to 20 mm (0.8 in) in the wettest ones (July, August) Here is the average precipitation.
In Jiuquan, there are on average around 3030 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Jiuquan - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Jiuquan is usually freezing cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of -8.7 °C (16 °F), with a minimum of -15.5 °C (4.2 °F) and a maximum of -2 °C (28.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -21.5 °C (-6.5 °F). However, it dropped to -27.8 °C (-18 °F) in January 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it reached 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) in January 2014.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In February, the weather in Jiuquan is usually very cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of -3.8 °C (25 °F), with a minimum of -10.8 °C (12.6 °F) and a maximum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -18 °C (0 °F). However, it dropped to -24.6 °C (-12.3 °F) in February 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it reached 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In March, the weather in Jiuquan is usually cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 3.1 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of -3.8 °C (25.2 °F) and a maximum of 10.1 °C (50.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -25.7 °C (-14.3 °F) in March 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) in March 2003.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 36%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In April, the weather in Jiuquan is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -9.8 °C (14.4 °F) in April 1996.
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 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in April 2004.
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 29%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In May, the weather in Jiuquan is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 23.1 °C (73.5 °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 -2.8 °C (27 °F) in May 1991.
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 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in May 2014.
Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 32%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In June, the weather in Jiuquan is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.4 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) and a maximum of 27.4 °C (81.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 34.7 °C (94.5 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 14 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 40%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Jiuquan is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) and a maximum of 29.2 °C (84.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) in July 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 38.7 °C (101.7 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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In August, the weather in Jiuquan is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) and a maximum of 27.8 °C (82 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) in August 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in August 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 49%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In September, the weather in Jiuquan is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.4 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 7.9 °C (46.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.8 °C (73 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.7 °C (25.3 °F) in September 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in September 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 11 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In October, the weather in Jiuquan is usually quite mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -8.9 °C (16 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in October 2008.
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 41%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In November, the weather in Jiuquan is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.6 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -5.8 °C (21.5 °F) and a maximum of 7.1 °C (44.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (9.5 °F). However, it dropped to -20.6 °C (-5.1 °F) in November 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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In December, the weather in Jiuquan is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -6.9 °C (20 °F), with a minimum of -13.3 °C (8.1 °F) and a maximum of -0.5 °C (31.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -20.5 °C (-5 °F). However, it dropped to -29.8 °C (-21.6 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it reached 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in December 1991.
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 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).