Climate - Yanan (China)

The climate of Yan'an (or Yenan) is semi-arid continental, with very cold, dry winters and hot, rainy summers.
The city is located in central-eastern China, in northern Shaanxi, at 36 degrees north latitude and 960 meters (3,150 feet) above sea level. We are in the Loess plateau, while further north we find the Ordos plateau, which is more arid.
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 around -20 °C (-4 °F).
The summer is the only season to experience significant rains. In periods of good weather, the temperature can exceed 30 °C (86 °F), and can sometimes reach as high as 35 °C (95 °F).

The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -4.4 °C (24.0 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 510 millimeters (20.1 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 3 mm (0.1 in) in the driest months (January, December) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
On average, there are around 2450 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Yanan - 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 Yanan is of -4.4 °C (24 °F), with a minimum of -11.1 °C (12.1 °F) and a maximum of 2.2 °C (35.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (0.5 °F). However, in January 1998, it dropped to -21.4 °C (-6.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, in January 2014, it reached 17.3 °C (63.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 3 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 195 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

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In February, the average temperature in Yanan is of -0.1 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -6.9 °C (19.6 °F) and a maximum of 6.7 °C (44.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14 °C (7 °F). However, in February 2018, it dropped to -19.5 °C (-3.1 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, in February 1996, it reached 23.8 °C (74.8 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
On average, there are 175 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

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In March, the average temperature in Yanan is of 6.2 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of -0.8 °C (30.6 °F) and a maximum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17 °F). However, in March 1996, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, in March 2003, it reached 29.2 °C (84.6 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
On average, there are 195 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 43%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

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In April, the average temperature in Yanan is of 12.8 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, in April 2007, it dropped to -5.4 °C (22.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86.5 °F). However, in April 2006, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 6 days.
On average, there are 220 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7.5 hours per day.
The average humidity is 40%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

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In May, the average temperature in Yanan is of 17.5 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 9.9 °C (49.9 °F) and a maximum of 25 °C (77 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, in May 2014, it dropped to -0.1 °C (31.8 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, in May 2000, it reached 35.5 °C (95.9 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
On average, there are 245 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 45%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

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In June, the average temperature in Yanan is of 21.8 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (49.5 °F). However, in June 1993, it dropped to 4.8 °C (40.6 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, in June 2005, it reached 39.3 °C (102.7 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
On average, there are 240 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 8 hours per day.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 kph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the average temperature in Yanan is of 23.8 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 17.8 °C (64.1 °F) and a maximum of 29.7 °C (85.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, in July 1993, it dropped to 7.7 °C (45.9 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (95.5 °F). However, in July 2001, it reached 38.5 °C (101.3 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
On average, there are 220 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

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In August, the average temperature in Yanan is of 22.3 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62 °F) and a maximum of 27.8 °C (82.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, in August 2014, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, in August 2002, it reached 36.2 °C (97.2 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
On average, there are 215 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 7 hours per day.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 kph).

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In September, the average temperature in Yanan is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.4 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, in September 1995, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, in September 1997, it reached 37.5 °C (99.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
On average, there are 185 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 kph).

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In October, the average temperature in Yanan is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, in October 1991, it dropped to -7.6 °C (18.3 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, in October 2016, it reached 30 °C (86 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
On average, there are 190 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

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In November, the average temperature in Yanan is of 4.0 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of -2.5 °C (27.5 °F) and a maximum of 10.4 °C (50.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (16 °F). However, in November 1993, it dropped to -16.4 °C (2.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, in November 2003, it reached 24.5 °C (76.1 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 14 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
On average, there are 185 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).

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In December, the average temperature in Yanan is of -2.6 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -9.1 °C (15.6 °F) and a maximum of 3.8 °C (38.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16 °C (3.5 °F). However, in December 1991, it dropped to -23 °C (-9.4 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, in December 2010, it reached 17.5 °C (63.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to only 3 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 2 days.
On average, there are 185 hours of sunshine per month, i.e. 6 hours per day.
The average humidity is 51%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 kph).