Climate - Xining (China)

The climate of Xining (or Sining), is semi-arid continental, with very cold, dry winters and quite warm, rainy summers.
The city is the capital of the province of Qinghai and is located at 36 degrees north latitude, at 2,250 meters (7,400 feet) above sea level, in the north of the Tibetan plateau, of which it is the most populous city. To the west is Lake Qinghai (Blue Lake, or Koko Nor), at an altitude of 3,200 meters (10,500 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 -20 °C (-4 °F). The cold record of the last decades is -25 °C (-13 °F), set in December 1975.
The summer is the only season to experience significant rains. Rainy days can be cool, with temperatures below 20 °C (68 °F). In periods of good weather, the temperature can reach 28/30 °C (82/86 °F). Sometimes there can even be heat waves, with highs of 35 °C (95 °F), even if the temperature drops a lot at night.

The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -6.5 °C (20.3 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 400 millimeters (15.7 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 2 mm (0.1 in) in the driest months (January, February, December) to 80 mm (3.1 in) in the wettest ones (July, August) Here is the average precipitation.
On average, there are around 2680 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Xining - 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 Xining is of -6.5 °C (20 °F), with a minimum of -14.9 °C (5.2 °F) and a maximum of 1.9 °C (35.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -20 °C (-4 °F). However, in January 2012, it dropped to -23.8 °C (-10.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, in January 2014, it reached 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 3 days.
On average, there are 210 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is 3 kph (2 kph).

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In February, the average temperature in Xining is of -2.6 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -10.8 °C (12.5 °F) and a maximum of 5.6 °C (42.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16.5 °C (2.5 °F). However, in February 2008, it dropped to -20.7 °C (-5.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, in February 2009, it reached 20.8 °C (69.4 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 3 days.
On average, there are 205 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 41%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 kph).

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In March, the average temperature in Xining is of 2.9 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -4.8 °C (23.4 °F) and a maximum of 10.7 °C (51.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11.5 °F). However, in March 2010, it dropped to -16.9 °C (1.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, in March 2003, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 5 days.
On average, there are 220 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 40%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

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In April, the average temperature in Xining is of 8.5 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) and a maximum of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, in April 2001, it dropped to -8.8 °C (16.2 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, in April 1998, it reached 31.8 °C (89.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 240 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

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In May, the average temperature in Xining is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 19.5 °C (67.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, in May 2015, it dropped to -3.9 °C (25 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, in May 2016, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 11 days.
On average, there are 255 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 kph).

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In June, the average temperature in Xining is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.6 °C (72.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, in June 2013, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, in June 2014, it reached 31.4 °C (88.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 15 days.
On average, there are 235 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 kph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature in Xining is of 17.7 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 10.9 °C (51.7 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44 °F). However, in July 2008, it dropped to 4.6 °C (40.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, in July 2000, it reached 36.5 °C (97.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 15 days.
On average, there are 245 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (2 kph).

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In August, the average temperature in Xining is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 10.6 °C (51 °F) and a maximum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, in August 2015, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, in August 2010, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
On average, there are 245 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 kph).

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In September, the average temperature in Xining is of 12.9 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, in September 1997, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, in September 2010, it reached 29.2 °C (84.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 13 days.
On average, there are 195 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (2 kph).

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In October, the average temperature in Xining is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22 °F). However, in October 2002, it dropped to -12.1 °C (10.2 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, in October 2016, it reached 26.3 °C (79.3 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 210 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (2 kph).

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In November, the average temperature in Xining is of 0.9 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -6.9 °C (19.6 °F) and a maximum of 8.6 °C (47.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (10 °F). However, in November 1997, it dropped to -18.2 °C (-0.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, in November 1993, it reached 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 215 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 3 kph (2 kph).

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In December, the average temperature in Xining is of -4.9 °C (23 °F), with a minimum of -13 °C (8.6 °F) and a maximum of 3.2 °C (37.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -18 °C (-0.5 °F). However, in December 2010, it dropped to -23.8 °C (-10.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10 °C (50 °F). However, in December 2016, it reached 13.9 °C (57 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 200 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 48%.
The average wind speed is 3 kph (2 kph).