Weather in Shanghai

Find out what weather awaits you in Shanghai. This section features up-to-date information on weather conditions, forecasts, and visual charts.

The climate in Shanghai is characterised as humid subtropical, with four distinct seasons. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, allowing travellers to choose the most comfortable time to visit based on their preferences.

Summer in Shanghai (from June to August) is hot and humid, with average temperatures reaching 29°C and above, especially in July and August. This period also sees the highest rainfall and number of rainy days. Winters (from December to February) are cool, sometimes cold, with average temperatures around 5-7°C and minimal precipitation. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons with more moderate and pleasant temperatures, making them popular times to visit the city.

Shanghai experiences a significant annual temperature range, which is typical for its subtropical climate. The hottest months are traditionally July and August. During this period, the average air temperature steadily hovers around +29°C, while maximum daytime values regularly rise to +32°C and above. Conversely, the coldest month is January, when the average temperature is around +5.6°C, and nightly lows can drop to an average of +2.2°C, approaching the freezing point.

The summer season in Shanghai, which lasts from June to August, is characterised by hot and humid weather. June opens the season with an average temperature of about +24.9°C, which gradually increases, peaking in July (+29.2°C) and August (+29.4°C). During these two months, daytime temperatures often exceed +32°C, and nights remain very warm, with temperatures rarely dropping below +26°C. This combination of high heat and humidity creates the sultry weather typical of the region.

Winter in Shanghai, covering the period from December to February, brings noticeable coolness. Average monthly temperatures at this time range from +5.6°C in January to +7.2°C in December. Night-time temperatures can drop to +2°C - +3°C, especially in the coldest month – January, which sometimes leads to light frosts, although severe and prolonged frosts are not typical for the city. During the day, the air usually warms up to +9°C - +11°C. Daily temperature fluctuations in Shanghai are generally moderate, averaging between 5°C and 8°C depending on the season, meaning the difference between daytime heat and night-time coolness is not extreme.

Shanghai sees marked seasonality in precipitation distribution throughout the year. The highest amount of rainfall and rainy days occurs during the summer months, forming a distinct wet season that usually lasts from June to September. At the same time, late autumn and winter, from October to February, are characterised by significantly less precipitation, representing a drier period.

The summer months, especially June and July, are the wettest in Shanghai. June stands out with the highest average rainfall volume, reaching 8 mm, while July leads in the number of rainy days — an average of 16 days per month. During this period, precipitation often takes the form of intense rains, which is typical for the hot and humid summer season in the region. August and September also remain quite rainy, with approximately 14 rainy days and rainfall ranging from 4 to 6 mm.

The driest month of the year is December, when only about 1 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of rainy days decreases to an average of 6. The period from October to January is generally characterised by a low probability of heavy rainfall: in October and November, 2 mm of precipitation falls with 7 rainy days, and in January — 2 mm with 8 rainy days. Given the winter temperatures, precipitation at this time of year usually falls as rain or drizzle; snow is a rare phenomenon for Shanghai.

When planning a trip to Shanghai, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly to feel comfortable in any weather. Regardless of the season, comfortable footwear for long walks will be your best companion. The climate in Shanghai implies four distinct seasons, so the principle of layering clothes will be incredibly useful, allowing you to easily adapt to temperature changes throughout the day, especially during transitional periods.

In summer, from June to August, hot and humid weather settles in Shanghai with average temperatures around +29°C and frequent rains, especially in June and July. It is recommended to take light, breathable clothing made of natural fabrics, sandals, sunscreen, a hat, and definitely a compact umbrella or a light raincoat. In winter, from December to February, the weather is cool, with the average temperature hovering around +5°C to +7°C. For this time of year, you will need warm items: sweaters, an insulated jacket (preferably windproof), a hat, a scarf, and gloves. Although there is significantly less precipitation in winter, light rain is still possible, so waterproof footwear would not go amiss.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) in Shanghai are seasons with the most comfortable, moderate weather, but they also require attention to clothing choices. In spring, the temperature gradually rises from +12°C in March to +21°C in May, and in autumn, it decreases from +25°C in September to +14°C in November. During these periods, layered clothing is ideal: T-shirts, shirts, light jumpers, cardigans, and a mid-season jacket or trench coat. An umbrella will also come in handy, as the number of rainy days can be significant, especially in March, May, and September. This approach will allow you to easily adapt to changing conditions and enjoy your stay in Shanghai.