Climate - Yinchuan (Ningxia)

The climate in Yinchuan is desert continental, with very cold winters and hot summers. The rains are not abundant and are concentrated from May to September, with a maximum in July and August.
The city is the capital of the small autonomous region of Ningxia and is located in north-central China, in a valley crossed by the Yellow River, and at an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,600 feet). To the north, in the same valley, is the city of Shizuishan. To the west are the Helan (or Alashan) mountains, whose highest peak reaches 3,556 meters (11,667 feet), and beyond the mountains are the deserts of Mongolia. To the east of the city lies the Ordos plateau, which is home to the Mu Us desert.
The winter is dry and sunny, with very low temperatures, often below freezing even during the day. Due to the dry climate, snowfalls are rare. During the most intense cold spells, the temperature can drop below -20 °C (-4 °F).
The summer is the only season to experience significant rains. Despite the altitude, in periods of good weather there can be heat waves, in which the temperature can reach or exceed 35 °C (95 °F). In July 2022, it reached 39 °C (102 °F).

Best Time

It is difficult to find the best time to visit Yinchuan, as there are often sudden changes in temperature. However, you can choose the months of May and September.

Yinchuan - Climate data

In Yinchuan, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -6.6 °C (20.1 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 24.2 °C (75.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Yinchuan, precipitation amounts to 185 millimeters (7.3 inches) per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from 1 mm (0 in) in the driest months (January, December) to 50 mm (2 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
In Yinchuan, there are on average around 2910 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Yinchuan - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Yinchuan is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -6.6 °C (20 °F), with a minimum of -12.7 °C (9.1 °F) and a maximum of -0.5 °C (31.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -18 °C (-1 °F). However, it dropped to -24.1 °C (-11.4 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7 °C (45 °F). However, it reached 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) in January 2014.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 51%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In February, the weather in Yinchuan is usually very cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of -1.9 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -8.7 °C (16.4 °F) and a maximum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -15.5 °C (4 °F). However, it dropped to -23.4 °C (-10.1 °F) in February 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it reached 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In March, the weather in Yinchuan is usually quite cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of -1.6 °C (29.1 °F) and a maximum of 12 °C (53.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (16 °F). However, it dropped to -15.7 °C (3.7 °F) in March 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 27.9 °C (82.2 °F) in March 2013.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 36%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In April, the weather in Yinchuan is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.1 °F) and a maximum of 19.6 °C (67.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -5.4 °C (22.3 °F) in April 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 35.1 °C (95.2 °F) in April 1994.
Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 33%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In May, the weather in Yinchuan is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.8 °F) and a maximum of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in May 1991.
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 34.1 °C (93.4 °F) in May 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 38%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In June, the weather in Yinchuan is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.1 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) and a maximum of 28.6 °C (83.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in June 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Yinchuan is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.2 °C (64.7 °F) and a maximum of 30.2 °C (86.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it dropped to 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) in July 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 38.5 °C (101.3 °F) in July 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In August, the weather in Yinchuan is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) and a maximum of 28.2 °C (82.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) in August 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 37.3 °C (99.1 °F) in August 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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In September, the weather in Yinchuan is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and a maximum of 23.5 °C (74.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 35.7 °C (96.3 °F) in September 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In October, the weather in Yinchuan is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 10.3 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) and a maximum of 17.2 °C (62.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -8.5 °C (16.7 °F) in October 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 29.6 °C (85.3 °F) in October 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 12 mm (0.5 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In November, the weather in Yinchuan is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.5 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -3.2 °C (26.3 °F) and a maximum of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (15.5 °F). However, it dropped to -14.1 °C (6.6 °F) in November 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in November 2009.
Precipitation amounts to only 3 mm (0.1 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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In December, the weather in Yinchuan is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -4.6 °C (24 °F), with a minimum of -10.2 °C (13.6 °F) and a maximum of 1 °C (33.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16 °C (3 °F). However, it dropped to -22.6 °C (-8.7 °F) in December 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it reached 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to only 1 mm (0 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).