Climate - Nanjing (China)

The climate of Nanjing (or Nanking), the capital of the Jiangsu Province and an ancient Chinese capital, is temperate, with cold winters, and hot, muggy and rainy summers. Nanjing is located in eastern China, 205 km (130 mi) away from the sea, and it's crossed by the Yangtze (or Blue River).
Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall amounts to 1,100 millimeters (43 inches) per year; there is no real dry season, however, autumn and winter are the least rainy seasons, while 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 3 °C (37.5 °F). There may be very cold periods, with temperatures around freezing even during the day, and with some chance of snow. The temperature dropped to -13 °C (8.5 °F) in January 1977 and in December 1991. In other periods, instead, the temperature becomes mild, around 15 °C (59 °F). At night, fog can form.

Spring, from March to May, is initially mild, and becomes gradually warmer. In May, there are already some hot, summer-like days. Spring is a more unstable season than autumn.

Summer, from June to September, is hot and muggy. Both the heat island effect of the big city and the humidity make the heat uncomfortable, especially in July and August. June is a wet and cloudy month. Periods of good weather can be sweltering, especially in July and August, with highs around 37/38 °C (99/100 °F) or more and tropical nights. The temperature reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2003 and in August 2013, and 41 °C (106 °F) in July 2017.

Autumn, in October and November, is initially mild, and gradually becomes cooler, and then quite cold at night by November. This is the time of year when the rains are least frequent. In autumn, in the hill called Qixiá shan, you can admire maples showing autumn colors.



Nanjing is not a very sunny city; however, the sunniest period (albeit slightly) is from April to August, with the exception of June, which, as we mentioned, is a month when the sky is often cloudy.

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

Best Time

The best times to visit Nanjing are spring and autumn, and in particular, from April to mid-May and from the end of September to the beginning of November. It must be said that spring is rainier, while in autumn, the arrival of a typhoon can not be excluded.

Nanjing - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Nanjing is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.0 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -1.3 °C (29.7 °F) and a maximum of 7.4 °C (45.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11 °C (12.2 °F) in January 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In February, the weather in Nanjing is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) and a maximum of 10 °C (50.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in February 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In March, the weather in Nanjing is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.9 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 15 °C (58.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in March 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30.3 °C (86.5 °F) in March 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In April, the weather in Nanjing is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.9 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 21.3 °C (70.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 34.2 °C (93.6 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In May, the weather in Nanjing is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.4 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.6 °C (79.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in May 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 37.5 °C (99.5 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In June, the weather in Nanjing is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.0 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) and a maximum of 29.2 °C (84.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in June 2015.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 37.5 °C (99.5 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 165 mm (6.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 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 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Nanjing is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.7 °C (76.4 °F) and a maximum of 32.5 °C (90.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it dropped to 17.4 °C (63.3 °F) in July 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in July 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 215 mm (8.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In August, the weather in Nanjing is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.1 °C (89.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.9 °C (62.4 °F) in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In September, the weather in Nanjing is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.7 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19.5 °C (67 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in September 2012.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37.6 °C (99.7 °F) in September 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In October, the weather in Nanjing is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.8 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °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 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in October 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33.4 °C (92.1 °F) in October 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In November, the weather in Nanjing is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.3 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.2 °C (43.1 °F) and a maximum of 16.5 °C (61.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -5.3 °C (22.5 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In December, the weather in Nanjing is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) and a maximum of 10 °C (50 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.1 °C (8.4 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in December 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).