Climate - Shantou (Guangdong)

The climate of Shantou (or Swatow) is subtropical, with very mild winters and hot, humid and rainy summers. The rains are abundant from April to September. The sun shines 55-58% of the time from August to November, while it shines only 28-30% of the time from February to April.
The city is located in southern China, in the Tropic of Cancer, on the east coast of Guangdong, at the mouth of the Han, Rong and Lian rivers.
Winter, from December to February, is very mild, with some sunny days more likely in December, while later, clouds and rains gradually become more frequent. Occasionally, cold and windy days can occur, with highs around 10 °C (50 °F) or even below.
Summer, from June to September, is hot and muggy. In July 2020, the temperature reached 40 °C (104 °F), and the average maximum was 35.6 °C (96.1 °F).
The city can be hit by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia. Typically, typhoons pass in this area from June to early November, but they have sometimes affected the area outside of this period, as happened in April 2008 and in May 2006. The area most at risk is the coastal one, since it can receive the strongest winds, as well as storm surges.

Best Time

It is not easy to find the best period to visit Shantou. Winter can be windy, and sometimes cold, and in the second part the sky is often cloudy. Spring is pleasantly warm, but also gloomy, and in April, thunderstorms also begin, then by May, the air becomes sultry, and there is the risk (though still low) of typhoons. In theory, autumn is the best season, but typhoons are still possible in October, while in November, there may be windy days, and at the end of the month, it can sometimes already be a bit cold. All in all, the best periods are from mid-March to mid-April, and from mid-October to late November.

Shantou - Climate data

In Shantou, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 14.9 °C (58.9 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 29.3 °C (84.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Shantou, precipitation amounts to 1620 millimeters (63.8 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 30 mm (1.2 in) in the driest months (January, October, November) to 280 mm (11 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
At Shantou, the sea temperature ranges from 20 °C (68 °F) in January, February to 28.5 °C (83 °F) in July, August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Shantou, there are on average around 1980 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Shantou - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Shantou is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.9 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.9 °C (66 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in January 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in January 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Shantou is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in February 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in February 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Shantou is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 18.0 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.8 °F) and a maximum of 21.6 °C (70.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Shantou is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.9 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 18.3 °C (65 °F) and a maximum of 25.4 °C (77.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) in April 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in April 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Shantou is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.4 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 22.2 °C (71.9 °F) and a maximum of 28.7 °C (83.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15.5 °C (59.9 °F) in May 1993.
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 °C (98.6 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 210 mm (8.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Shantou is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.1 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 25 °C (77 °F) and a maximum of 31.2 °C (88.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in June 2010.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in June 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 275 mm (10.8 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes. 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 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In July, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Shantou is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.3 °C (85 °F), with a minimum of 25.9 °C (78.6 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it dropped to 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in July 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 225 mm (8.9 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In August, the weather in Shantou is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 29.2 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) and a maximum of 32.6 °C (90.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it dropped to 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) in August 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in August 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 280 mm (11 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Shantou is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.0 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.4 °C (76 °F) and a maximum of 31.6 °C (88.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in September 1997.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in September 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 165 mm (6.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 28 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In October, the weather in Shantou is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.9 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it dropped to 12.2 °C (54 °F) in October 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Shantou is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.0 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.3 °F) and a maximum of 25.2 °C (77.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in November 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Shantou is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.7 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in December 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.