Weather in Lanzhou

Planning your day or a trip to Lanzhou? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date information on weather conditions, including detailed forecasts and visual charts, so you can be ready for any of nature's surprises.

The climate in Lanzhou is characterized as continental arid. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, with a cold and very dry winter and a warm, relatively wetter, yet still arid summer. The four seasons are clearly defined here, offering diverse weather conditions for visitors.

Winters in Lanzhou (from December to February) are quite harsh, with average temperatures significantly below zero and practically no precipitation. Spring brings rapid warming but remains dry. Summer (from June to August) is the warmest time of the year, when daytime temperatures can reach comfortable and sometimes hot levels. During this period, there is a slight increase in rainfall and rainy days, especially in July and August, although the total amount of precipitation remains low. In autumn, the temperature drops quickly, preparing the city for a new winter, and the weather becomes very dry again.

Overall, the weather in Lanzhou is distinguished by pronounced dryness throughout the year. Travellers should be prepared for significant temperature drops between day and night, as well as between seasons. Although summer brings some rainfall, heavy rains are not to be expected. This makes Lanzhou attractive for those who prefer a dry climate, but it requires appropriate preparation in terms of clothing, especially during the cold months.

The temperature regime in Lanzhou demonstrates a distinctly continental character with substantial annual and daily fluctuations. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature drops to -4.5°C, with nightly lows reaching -10.1°C, and daily highs barely rising above freezing (averaging +1.1°C). Conversely, July is the hottest month with an average temperature of +22.4°C. During this period, daytime temperatures can reach +28.3°C, while nighttime temperatures drop to +16.4°C. Thus, the annual range of average temperatures is quite significant, reflecting a clear change of seasons.

The summer months in Lanzhou, from June to August, are characterized by warmth turning into heat. Average daytime temperatures range from +25.8°C in June to +28.3°C in July, creating comfortable conditions for walking, although it can sometimes be quite sultry. Nights bring pleasant coolness: temperatures drop to an average of +14.1°C in June and +16.4°C in July. This difference between day and night temperatures, amounting to about 10-12 degrees, is a characteristic feature of the local climate and is felt throughout the warm season.

Winter in Lanzhou, covering the period from December to February, is quite harsh and frosty. Average temperatures steadily stay below zero: for example, in December, the average temperature is -3.7°C (down to -8.9°C at night, about +1.6°C during the day), and in January it drops to -4.5°C (down to -10.1°C at night, about +1.1°C during the day). Night frosts are a common occurrence. During the day, the thermometer rarely rises significantly above zero, usually fluctuating between +1.1°C (in January) and +4.9°C (in February). Daily temperature fluctuations in winter are also significant and comparable to summer, averaging 10-12 degrees. This requires warm clothing, especially for the evening and night hours. The transition seasons – spring and autumn – are characterized by rapid temperature changes while maintaining significant differences between day and night.

Lanzhou is characterized by a very arid climate throughout the year, however, the precipitation pattern has distinct seasonal differences. A long dry season stands out clearly, covering the winter months as well as late autumn and early spring. Specifically, from November to March, precipitation amounts are minimal: in January, February, March, November, and December, the average monthly precipitation is just 0 mm. December is the absolute minimum not only in volume but also in the number of wet days – averaging just 1 such day.

A relative increase in precipitation is observed in the summer months and early autumn, forming a short, moderately wet period. August is the "wettest" month of the year, but even then, only about 3 mm of precipitation falls. This rainfall is distributed over approximately 14 days, making August the month with the highest frequency of precipitation. July and September also bring a small amount of moisture – 2 mm of precipitation each, with July having about 10 days with precipitation, and September having 12. In this summer-autumn period, precipitation falls mainly as rain, however, its overall intensity, judging by the small amount, is low.

The transitional spring months, April and May, as well as October, are characterized by very low precipitation (about 1 mm per month) and approximately 7-8 days with precipitation. In general, even during the "rainiest" periods, precipitation in Lanzhou remains scanty. In winter, despite the presence of a few "wet days" (for example, 2 in January and 4 in February), the recorded amount of precipitation is 0 mm. This indicates that if precipitation does occur, it is extremely insignificant, possibly in the form of very light snow or frost that does not form a measurable cover. Travellers should be prepared for predominantly dry weather at any time of the year.

When planning a trip to Lanzhou, it is important to consider its continental arid climate with significant temperature fluctuations both throughout the year and during the day. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering. This will allow you to easily adapt to changing conditions by adding or removing layers of clothing. Regardless of the season, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, as you will surely want to explore the city. Due to the general dryness of the air year-round, skin moisturizer and lip balm will come in handy. Sunscreen and sunglasses will also be useful, especially in the summer months, though the sun can be active in other seasons as well.

The winter months (from December to February) in Lanzhou are very cold, with average temperatures significantly below zero and practically no precipitation. You will need very warm clothes: thermal underwear, fleece tops, a warm sweater, a down jacket or winter coat, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Don't forget warm socks and insulated, windproof shoes. Late autumn (November) and early spring (March) also require warm clothing, as temperatures are still low, although they are starting to rise or fall respectively. In these transitional periods, layering is especially important to feel comfortable both during the day and on cool evenings.

Summer (from June to August) in Lanzhou is warm, sometimes hot, with average temperatures above +20°C. During this period, it is worth taking light, breathable clothing made of natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. However, evenings can be cool, so a light jacket, cardigan, or sweater will be useful. In summer, there is a slight increase in rainfall and "wet days" (especially in August), so a compact umbrella or a light raincoat may prove useful, although heavy downpours are not to be expected. In spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October), the weather is more moderate but still requires both light items for warm days and warmer ones for cool evenings and mornings.