Weather and climate in Shanghai (China)

The climate of Shanghai is temperate, with relatively cold winters, and hot, muggy and rainy summers. Shanghai is the largest city in China and is located in the east of the country, in the Yangtze (or Blue River) Delta.
Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall amounts to 1,150 millimeters (46 inches) per year; there is no real dry season, however, autumn is the least rainy season, 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 5 °C (41 °F). There may be cold periods, with highs around 5 °C (41 °F) or below, and occasionally, even snow can fall. The temperature dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in January 1977 and to -7 °C (19.5 °F) in January 2016. On the other hand, in other periods, the temperature becomes mild, around 15 °C (59 °F).

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. The heat island effect of the big city and the humidity from the sea make the heat annoying, especially in July and August. However, the breeze tempers the heat a bit. June is the rainiest month of the year. In periods of good weather, it can be sweltering, especially in July and August, with highs around 37/38 °C (99/100 °F) or more, and tropical nights. In August 2013, the temperature reached 41 °C (106 °F), and in July 2017, it reached 42 °C (107.5 °F).

Autumn, in October and November, is initially mild, and gradually becomes cooler, and then quite cold at night by November. Rainfall is moderate.



Shanghai is not a very sunny city; however, the sunniest months (albeit slightly) are July and August, and autumn is a little bit sunnier than spring.

Near Shanghai, 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.

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. In May 2006, Typhoon Chanchu was the earliest typhoon to affect Shanghai in 80 years.

Best Time

It is not easy to find the best time to visit Shanghai. Since 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, in this period, the arrival of a typhoon can not be excluded.

Shanghai - 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 4.9 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1.6 °C (34.8 °F) and a maximum of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 10 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 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 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 6.8 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.3 °C (38 °F) and a maximum of 10.3 °C (50.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 7.2 °C (45 °F) and a maximum of 14.4 °C (58 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in March 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in March 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 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 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (47 °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 16.5 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.6 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in April 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.7 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 17.8 °C (64.1 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78.1 °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 8 °C (46.4 °F) in May 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 84 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °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 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 22 °C (71.6 °F) and a maximum of 28.3 °C (82.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in June 1995.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in June 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 180 mm (7.1 in), distributed over 13 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 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool 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 29.5 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 26.2 °C (79.1 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in July 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 42 °C (107.6 °F) in July 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °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 26 °C (78.8 °F) and a maximum of 32.3 °C (90.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19 °C (66.2 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F) in August 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 215 mm (8.5 in), distributed over 12 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 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °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 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21.8 °C (71.3 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in September 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 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 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.7 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 16 °C (60.9 °F) and a maximum of 23.3 °C (74 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in October 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.7 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 10 °C (50.1 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °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 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 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 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.3 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.6 °F) and a maximum of 11 °C (51.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in December 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 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 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.