Climate - Urumqi (China)

The climate of Ürümqi (or Urumchi) is arid continental, with freezing winters and hot summers.
The city is located in northwest China, at nearly 44 degrees north latitude, at an altitude between 600 and 1,000 meters (2,000 and 3,300 feet), and is the capital of the autonomous province of Xinjiang. We are in Dzungaria, the northern part of the province, which is separated from the Tarim Basin and the Taklimakan Desert by the Tian Shan Mountains. Right in the vicinity of the city is the Bogda Feng, 5,445 meters (17,864 feet) high. Ürümqi is the large city in the world farthest from the sea, which lies 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) away.
Although we are in an arid area, the proximity of the mountains makes precipitation more frequent than in other locations in the area, and in winter there are frequent snowfalls, although generally light. During the most intense cold spells, the temperature can drop as low as -30 °C (-22 °F).
In spring, there can be severe changes in temperature. In early April it can still snow, but sometimes even at the end of the month. In April 2015, the temperature went from -7 °C (19.5 °F) at the beginning of the month to 36 °C (97 °F) at the end.
In summer, it can sometimes rain, while in dry periods there can be heat waves.
The following temperatures are measured at the airport, which is located at 650 meters (2,100 feet) above sea level, therefore in the lower part of the city, where in summer it is a little hotter (while in winter it could be even colder due to thermal inversion).

The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -14.0 °C (6.8 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26.2 °C (79.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 285 millimeters (11.2 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 10 mm (0.4 in) in the driest months (January, February) to 40 mm (1.6 in) in the wettest one (May). Here is the average precipitation.
On average, there are around 2525 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Urumqi - 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 Urumqi is of -14.0 °C (7 °F), with a minimum of -17.9 °C (-0.3 °F) and a maximum of -10.1 °C (13.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -24.5 °C (-12 °F). However, in January 2006, it dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, in January 2010, it reached 8 °C (46.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 100 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 3.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 84%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (2 kph).

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In February, the average temperature in Urumqi is of -9.7 °C (15 °F), with a minimum of -13.7 °C (7.4 °F) and a maximum of -5.7 °C (21.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -20.5 °C (-5 °F). However, in February 2005, it dropped to -28 °C (-18.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, in February 2004, it reached 7 °C (44.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 130 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 83%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 kph).

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In March, the average temperature in Urumqi is of 1.2 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -2.8 °C (27 °F) and a maximum of 5.2 °C (41.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (10 °F). However, in March 1994, it dropped to -20 °C (-4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, in March 2018, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 180 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

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In April, the average temperature in Urumqi is of 13.1 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.8 °C (46.1 °F) and a maximum of 18.4 °C (65 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, in April 2003, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, in April 2015, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 250 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 43%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).

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In May, the average temperature in Urumqi is of 19.2 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57.1 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, in May 1992, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, in May 2017, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 285 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9 hours per day.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).

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In June, the average temperature in Urumqi is of 24.5 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) and a maximum of 29.5 °C (85.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, in June 2005, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, in June 2016, it reached 41 °C (105.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
On average, there are 285 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature in Urumqi is of 26.2 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 21.3 °C (70.3 °F) and a maximum of 31.2 °C (88.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, in July 1993, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38.5 °C (101 °F). However, in July 2004, it reached 44 °C (111.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
On average, there are 300 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 39%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).

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In August, the average temperature in Urumqi is of 24.6 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 19.4 °C (66.8 °F) and a maximum of 29.9 °C (85.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, in August 1996, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, in August 1997, it reached 40 °C (104 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 300 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 39%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 kph).

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In September, the average temperature in Urumqi is of 18.9 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 13.5 °C (56.2 °F) and a maximum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, in September 2004, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, in September 1997, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 5 days.
On average, there are 265 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 9 hours per day.
The average humidity is 39%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 kph).

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In October, the average temperature in Urumqi is of 10.2 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 5.3 °C (41.6 °F) and a maximum of 15 °C (59.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, in October 2000, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, in October 2013, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 225 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 kph).

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In November, the average temperature in Urumqi is of -0.4 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -4 °C (24.7 °F) and a maximum of 3.1 °C (37.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11 °F). However, in November 1997, it dropped to -20 °C (-4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, in November 2016, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 125 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 4 hours per day.
The average humidity is 77%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (3 kph).

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In December, the average temperature in Urumqi is of -10.6 °C (13 °F), with a minimum of -14.2 °C (6.5 °F) and a maximum of -7.1 °C (19.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -21.5 °C (-6.5 °F). However, in December 2012, it dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, in December 1996, it reached 8 °C (46.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
On average, there are 85 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 2.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 86%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 kph).