Weather in Harbin

Stay up to date with the latest weather conditions in Harbin. Below you will find fresh information, detailed forecasts, and clear charts to help you plan your time in the city.

Harbin, located in Northeast China, is characterised by a sharp continental climate with distinct seasons. The city is known for its very cold, long, and dry winters, as well as short but warm and relatively humid summers. This climate is determined by its geographical position and the influence of Siberian anticyclones in winter and monsoon flows in summer.

Winters in Harbin are truly severe: average temperatures in January drop to -17°C, while night-time frosts can reach -23°C and lower. There is little snowfall, which is typical for a dry winter. Summer, conversely, is quite warm, with an average temperature in July of about +24°C, and daytime highs can rise above +28°C. It is the summer months (June, July, August) that account for the majority of precipitation, making this period more humid compared to the rest of the year.

Spring and autumn in Harbin are transitional seasons. Spring arrives late and is distinguished by rapid weather changes, from frosts in March to moderate warmth in May. Autumn is generally short, with pleasant weather in September that quickly gives way to cool conditions in October and the first frosts in November. The most notable feature of Harbin's climate is the huge annual temperature amplitude and a relatively small total amount of precipitation, most of which falls during the summer period.

The temperature regime in Harbin demonstrates distinct seasonality with a huge annual amplitude. The coldest months are January, with an average temperature of around -17.0°C, when night-time frosts can drop to -22.8°C and daytime highs rarely rise above -11.3°C, and December with similar figures (averaging -15.4°C). February also remains very cold, with an average temperature of -11.9°C. Conversely, the hottest month is July, when the average temperature reaches +24.2°C, and daytime highs can climb to +28.2°C. August is also very warm, with an average temperature of +21.4°C and maximum values around +25.1°C.

Winter in Harbin is characterised by strong and persistent frosts. Starting in November, when the average temperature drops to -4.6°C, the city plunges into a long cold period that lasts until March. At the peak of winter, in January and December, daytime temperatures often remain significantly below zero, and night-time frosts are very severe. For example, in January, the average minimum temperature is -22.8°C, and in December it is -20.4°C. Despite the severe cold, winters here are relatively dry, with little precipitation.

The summer months, from June to August, bring warmth to Harbin. June greets with average temperatures around +20.4°C, which rise to peak values in July (+24.2°C on average). Daytime temperatures in summer are comfortable for walking and outdoor activities, often exceeding +25°C, reaching +28.2°C in July. Nights are also warm, with minimum temperatures in July around +20.3°C. Harbin is characterised by noticeable diurnal temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The difference between daytime highs and night-time lows is often 10-12°C, especially in the transitional seasons and winter, which is typical for a sharp continental climate.

Harbin observes a distinct seasonality in the distribution of precipitation throughout the year. The winter months—December, January, February, and March—are the driest. During this period, according to the provided data, the amount of precipitation is 0 mm, and the number of days with any precipitation is minimal, varying from 2 to 4 days per month. This indicates a prevalence of dry weather in winter.

The summer period, covering June, July, and August, brings the main part of the annual precipitation to Harbin, forming a relatively humid season. August stands out as the wettest month: on average, 6 mm of precipitation falls, and there are about 17 days with precipitation. July (5 mm of precipitation, 16 days) and June (4 mm of precipitation, 16 days) are also characterised by more frequent rains compared to other seasons. Given the total amount of precipitation distributed over a significant number of "wet days," it can be assumed that summer precipitation most often presents as light or moderate rain rather than heavy downpours.

In winter, despite the indication of 0 mm of precipitation, average temperatures are significantly below zero (for example, in January the average temperature is -17.0°C). This means that any precipitation falling during these 2-4 "wet days" in the winter months will most likely be in the form of light snow or frost, the amount of which may be too small for registration by standard measurement methods. Transitional months, such as May (2 mm of precipitation, 9 wet days) and September (3 mm of precipitation, 10 wet days), demonstrate a gradual increase or decrease in the amount of precipitation and frequency of its occurrence, linking the dry winter and the wetter summer.

When planning a trip to Harbin, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly, as the city is famous for its severe winters and warm but humid summers. In winter, especially from December to February, when average temperatures can drop to -17°C and below, you will need the warmest clothing. Be sure to take thermal underwear, warm sweaters, insulated trousers, as well as a windproof and waterproof winter jacket or down jacket. Do not forget a hat that covers your ears, a warm scarf, and mittens or gloves. Warm, non-slip footwear is also critically important. Despite the small amount of precipitation in winter, protection from the piercing cold and wind is your main priority.

In summer, from June to August, the weather in Harbin is warm, with average temperatures around +20°C to +24°C. You will need light clothing made of natural fabrics, t-shirts, shorts, and sundresses. However, this is also the wettest period of the year, with the highest number of days with precipitation, so a light umbrella or raincoat will be very useful. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for sun protection. For the transitional seasons—spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November)—the principle of layering works best. The weather can be changeable: from cool to moderately warm. Take t-shirts, jumpers, a light jacket, and something warmer so you can combine clothes depending on the temperature. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are your faithful companion in exploring Harbin.