Weather in Changchun

Planning a trip or simply interested in the weather in Changchun? Here you will find the latest information on weather conditions and forecasts for the near future.

The climate in Changchun has a clearly defined continental character, which means significant temperature fluctuations between seasons. The city experiences four distinct seasons: a cold and dry winter, a warm and more humid spring, a hot and rainy summer, and a cool and dry autumn. The average annual temperature shows a large range: from severe frosts in winter to comfortable warmth in summer.

Winters in Changchun are generally very cold, with average temperatures significantly below freezing, especially in January and December, and minimal precipitation. Spring brings a gradual warming, and the number of rainy days increases. Summer is the warmest season, particularly July, when the average temperature reaches its peak; it is also the wettest period of the year, with the highest amount of precipitation and rainy days occurring in June, July, and August. In autumn, temperatures gradually drop, and precipitation decreases, preparing the city for the arrival of winter.

Overall, the weather in Changchun is characterized by dry and frosty winters and warm, relatively humid summers. The transitional seasons — spring and autumn — offer more moderate temperatures but also rapid changes in weather conditions. The most notable feature is the concentration of precipitation in the summer months, while the winter period is distinguished by its dryness.

The temperature regime in Changchun demonstrates an impressive annual range, typical of a sharp continental climate. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature drops to -13.1°C, and nightly lows can reach -18.3°C. Daytime highs in January rarely rise above -7.8°C. In contrast, the hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 24.7°C. During this period, daytime heat can reach 28.6°C, while nights remain warm with temperatures around 20.8°C.

The summer months in Changchun — June, July, and August — bring warmth and sometimes heat. Average daytime temperatures during this period range from 25.7°C in June to 28.6°C in July, dropping to 26.0°C in August. Nights are also warm, with average minimum temperatures from 16.4°C to 20.8°C. Although July is the peak of summer heat, June and August also offer comfortable summer weather, ideal for walking and outdoor activities, despite the fact that this is also the wettest season.

Winter in Changchun, spanning December, January, and February, is characterized by persistent frosts. Monthly average temperatures during this period vary from -13.1°C in January to -8.6°C in February. Nighttime temperatures regularly drop significantly below zero, reaching -18.3°C in January and -16.5°C in December. Even during the day, the temperature rarely rises above the freezing point, averaging between -7.8°C and -3.1°C. It is worth noting that diurnal temperature fluctuations are quite noticeable throughout the year, but are especially pronounced in the transitional seasons and winter, when the difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows can exceed 10°C.

In Changchun, there is a clearly defined seasonality in precipitation distribution. Winter, covering the months from December to March, is characterized as a very dry period. In January, February, and March, according to data, the average precipitation is 0 mm, with 0 mm also recorded in December. Despite the minimal amount of precipitation, these months still see 1 to 3 "wet days," which, given the low temperatures (average values from -13.1°C in January to 1.0°C in March), most likely indicates light snowfall or insignificant precipitation in the form of snow that does not yield a measurable amount of moisture.

With the arrival of spring, the amount of precipitation gradually increases. In April, about 1 mm of precipitation falls over 5 rainy days, and in May, it reaches 2 mm over 9 rainy days. However, the real rainy season in Changchun falls during the summer months. June, July, and August are the wettest. The peak of precipitation is observed in July, when an average of 6 mm falls, and the number of rainy days reaches 16. August is also very rainy, with 5 mm of precipitation and 16 rainy days. In June, 4 mm of precipitation falls, and there are about 13 rainy days. Summer precipitation tends to take the form of showers, which is typical for the monsoon influence in the region.

In autumn, precipitation begins to decrease again. In September, about 3 mm falls over 9 rainy days, which is still quite wet compared to spring but less than in summer. By October, precipitation drops to 1 mm (5 rainy days), and in November, with the arrival of freezing temperatures, about 1 mm of precipitation also falls over 5 days, which can be in the form of either rain or snow. Thus, the driest months are January, February, March, and December, while the wettest are July and August.

When planning a trip to Changchun, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly, taking into account the sharp seasonal weather changes. Winter (December-February) is very cold here, with average temperatures significantly below freezing (around -13°C, and nightly lows can drop to -18°C), and practically no precipitation, although light snow is possible. Therefore, at this time of year, you will need the warmest clothes: thermal underwear, insulated outerwear (a down jacket or warm parka), wool sweaters or fleece jackets, a windproof hat, warm gloves, and a scarf. Don't forget warm socks and insulated, preferably non-slip, shoes. Since the air is dry in winter, lip balm and moisturizing cream will come in handy.

In spring (March-May), the weather in Changchun gradually warms up but remains changeable, and the number of rainy days increases, especially towards May. In summer (June-August), warm and even hot weather sets in with average temperatures from +21°C to +25°C, but this is also the wettest season with frequent and sometimes intense rains (13-16 rainy days per month). For these seasons, choose light, breathable clothing (cotton, linen), sunscreen, and a hat for summer, and be sure to take an umbrella or a light raincoat. In autumn (September-November), the temperature gradually decreases, preparing the city for winter, while precipitation decreases. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are your faithful companion. The principle of layering in clothing is especially relevant for spring and autumn, allowing you to easily adapt to changeable weather and significant daily temperature fluctuations.