Climate - Jiuquan (China)

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.

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.
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.
On average, there are around 3030 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Jiuquan - 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 Jiuquan 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, in January 2008, it dropped to -27.8 °C (-18 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, in January 2014, it reached 15.8 °C (60.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 220 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

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In February, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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, in February 2008, it dropped to -24.6 °C (-12.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, in February 2017, it reached 16.6 °C (61.9 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 210 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).

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In March, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10.5 °F). However, in March 2010, it dropped to -25.7 °C (-14.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, in March 2003, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
On average, there are 240 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 36%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).

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In April, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, in April 1996, it dropped to -9.8 °C (14.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, in April 2004, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 260 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 29%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 kph).

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In May, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, in May 1991, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, in May 2014, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 3 days.
On average, there are 295 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 32%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).

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In June, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, in June 1996, it dropped to 5.2 °C (41.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, in June 2011, it reached 34.7 °C (94.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 14 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 285 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 40%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 kph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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, in July 1995, it dropped to 8.4 °C (47.1 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, in July 1995, it reached 38.7 °C (101.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
On average, there are 280 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9 hours per day.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 kph).

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In August, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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, in August 2008, it dropped to 4.7 °C (40.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, in August 2016, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 275 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9 hours per day.
The average humidity is 49%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

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In September, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, in September 2004, it dropped to -3.7 °C (25.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, in September 1998, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 11 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
On average, there are 270 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9 hours per day.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

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In October, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, in October 1993, it dropped to -8.9 °C (16 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, in October 2008, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
On average, there are 265 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 41%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

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In November, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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 of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (9.5 °F). However, in November 1996, it dropped to -20.6 °C (-5.1 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, in November 2009, it reached 19.4 °C (66.9 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 225 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 kph).

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In December, the average temperature in Jiuquan 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, in December 1991, it dropped to -29.8 °C (-21.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, in December 1991, it reached 12.5 °C (54.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 210 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).