Weather in Suzhou

Planning a trip or simply curious about the weather in Suzhou? In this section, you will find up-to-date weather reports, detailed forecasts, and visual charts to help you plan your day.

The climate of Suzhou can be described as humid subtropical, with four distinct seasons. Winters here are cool, with an average temperature of about 4-6°C, sometimes dropping close to freezing. Spring brings gradual warming, turning into a hot and humid summer, when average temperatures reach 25-30°C. Autumn, by contrast, delights with mild and comfortable weather.

The summer months, especially June and July, are the wettest, with the highest amount of rainfall and rainy days of the year. While winter and late autumn are the driest periods. Overall, the weather in Suzhou offers variety, allowing you to choose the most comfortable time for a trip depending on your preferences: be it the freshness of spring, the sunny warmth of autumn, or even the cool of winter for those who do not fear low temperatures.

The temperature regime in Suzhou is characterized by clearly defined seasons, offering visitors diverse weather conditions throughout the year. The hottest months are July and August, when the average temperature reaches almost 30°C (29.5°C in July and 29.4°C in August), and daytime highs often rise to 32.4-32.5°C. Nights during this period also remain very warm, with minimum values around 26.3-26.5°C. Summer heat, especially from June to August, when average temperatures vary from 25.7°C to 29.5°C, is often accompanied by high humidity, which is worth considering when planning outdoor activities.

Winter in Suzhou, on the other hand, brings coolness. The coldest month is considered to be January, with an average temperature of about 4.5°C. Daytime temperatures in the winter months (December-February) usually hover around 8-10°C (maximums from 8.0°C to 9.8°C), while nights can drop close to freezing, averaging 0.9°C in January and 2.1°C in December. Spring and autumn serve as pleasant transitional seasons with gradual warming (average temperature in March 12.3°C, in May 21.8°C) and cooling (average temperature in September 24.9°C, in November 13.5°C) respectively. Daily temperature fluctuations in Suzhou are moderate: the difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows throughout most of the year is about 6-8°C, which ensures relatively stable temperature conditions during the day.

In Suzhou, there is a distinct seasonality in the distribution of precipitation throughout the year. The city receives the bulk of its moisture in the summer months, indicating a distinct rainy season, while late autumn and winter are characterized by significantly less rainfall.

The wettest period in Suzhou is summer. June stands out as the month with the highest volume of precipitation, reaching an average of 8 mm, with rain falling for about 13 days. It is immediately followed by July, which, despite a slightly smaller volume of precipitation (7 mm), holds the record for the number of rainy days – counting up to 16. August and September also remain quite humid, with 14 and 12 rainy days respectively, and a precipitation volume of about 4 mm in each of these months. Summer precipitation can take the form of intense downpours.

The driest time of year in Suzhou is late autumn and winter. December is the driest month, when only about 1 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of rainy days is minimal, amounting to approximately 6 days. January, October, and November are also distinguished by a small amount of precipitation (2 mm each) and a relatively small number of days with rain (7-8 days). During these periods, precipitation is generally less intense.

When planning a trip to Suzhou, it is important to choose the right wardrobe to feel comfortable in any weather. Given the distinct change of seasons, the principle of layering in clothing will be your best ally. Regardless of the time of year, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, as Suzhou is famous for its gardens and canals, which invite long walks. A compact umbrella or light raincoat will also come in handy, as rainy days occur throughout the year, especially during the summer period.

If your trip falls during summer (June-August), prepare for hot and humid weather. Average temperatures reach 25-30°C, and the number of rainy days is at its maximum. Pack light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics, shorts, T-shirts, and sandals. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Winter (December-February) in Suzhou is cool, with the average temperature hovering around 4-6°C, sometimes dropping almost to freezing. You will need a warm jacket, sweaters, perhaps thermal underwear, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Although there is little precipitation in winter, warm and waterproof shoes will be useful.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are excellent times to visit Suzhou with comfortable temperatures. In spring, the air gradually warms up from 12°C to 22°C, and autumn delights with mild warmth starting at 25°C, gradually decreasing to 13°C. For these seasons, layered clothing is ideal: T-shirts, long-sleeved tops, light sweaters or fleece jackets, jeans or comfortable trousers, as well as a windbreaker or light jacket. In spring and early autumn, an umbrella is still relevant, as rain is possible. By adapting your luggage to the specific season, you will ensure a pleasant and carefree journey through this charming city.