Weather in Golmud

Planning a trip or just want to know what is happening outside the window in the city of Golmud? In this section, you will find the freshest information about the current weather, as well as detailed forecasts and charts.

The climate of Golmud can be characterized as sharply continental and extremely arid, which is determined by its geographical location. A high-altitude desert atmosphere reigns here: the air is dry and clear, and significant precipitation is a great rarity at any time of the year. Travellers should be prepared for the fact that the weather here can be contrasting, with noticeable temperature fluctuations.

The seasons are quite clearly defined. Winter here is long, cold, and has little snow, with temperatures often dropping below -10 °C. Summer, on the contrary, is moderately warm and pleasant, without exhausting heat: daytime indicators usually stay in the comfortable range from +18 °C to +24 °C. This makes the summer months the most favourable period for visiting the region.

A unique feature of the weather in Golmud is the phenomenal amount of sunshine and the almost complete absence of rain. Even in the summer period, which is conventionally considered the "wettest", the amount of precipitation remains minimal. Thanks to this, the sky over the city is almost always clear, which guarantees excellent conditions for sightseeing, although it requires the mandatory use of sun protection.

The climate in Golmud is distinguished by pronounced seasonality and a harsh character, due to the high-altitude location of the region. Winter here is long and frosty: the coldest month is traditionally January with an average temperature of about -8.2°C. During this period, the night cold can be quite palpable, when the thermometer drops to -14.7°C, and daytime indicators often do not exceed the freezing point. Travellers planning a trip in winter should take care of reliable warm gear, as the frosts are persistent and prolonged.

The summer season brings long-awaited warming, but without sweltering heat, which makes this period the most comfortable for tourism. The warmest month is considered to be July, when the air warms up on average to 18.3°C. During the day, the temperature usually hovers around a pleasant 24°C, allowing you to enjoy walks and excursions. Summer here can be described as moderately warm and fresh, which is an excellent alternative to the stuffy lowland cities of China.

An important feature of Golmud's temperature regime is the significant amplitude of fluctuations between day and night. Due to the dry air, the temperature difference can be very sharp: for example, in spring (in April), after a sunny day with a temperature of about 13.5°C, light frosts often occur at night. Even in summer, when it is warm during the day, night-time figures fall to 10–12°C, so the principle of layering in clothing is relevant here at any time of the year.

Golmud is distinguished by an extremely arid climate, so precipitation here is a rather rare phenomenon. Travellers are unlikely to have to worry about prolonged downpours capable of disrupting plans: dry weather prevails in the city for most of the year. The general level of precipitation remains minimal even in those months when the probability of rain is statistically higher.

The greatest precipitation activity is observed in the summer period, from June to August. At this time, the number of "wet" days reaches its maximum — about 5–6 days a month. However, even in this season, rains are typically very weak and short-lived (the average precipitation level is only about 1 mm), more often resembling a light drizzle than a full-fledged downpour.

Winter months and the beginning of spring are the driest in the year. From October to March, the probability of precipitation tends to zero; for example, in December and January, rainy or snowy days are practically not recorded. Given the freezing temperatures in winter (down to -14°C and below), rare moisture could fall as snow, but due to the exceptional dryness of the air, snowfalls in Golmud are a great rarity.

When packing for Golmud, it is important to remember the sharp continental climate and significant temperature changes throughout the day. The main secret of comfort here is the principle of layering. In winter, you will definitely need a high-quality down jacket, thermal underwear, a hat, and gloves, as the temperature consistently stays below zero. Summer here is mild and pleasant, during the day the air warms up to +24°C, but evenings remain cool, so even in July, a windbreaker or fleece jacket will be indispensable.

Extremely little precipitation falls in this region, so a heavy raincoat or umbrella will hardly be useful, but protection from the sun and wind is extremely important. Be sure to take sunglasses and cream with a high SPF, as in clear weather, ultraviolet radiation can be very active. Also, considering the dry air, we recommend bringing moisturizing cream and lip balm. For excursions, comfortable closed shoes with flat soles are best suited.