Weather in Urumqi

Planning your day in the city of Urumqi? Check out the most recent weather data, forecasts, and useful charts right in this section.

The climate in Urumqi is characterized as sharply continental, with features of a desert or semi-desert environment. This means significant temperature fluctuations both throughout the year and during the course of a day. The city is distinguished by very low precipitation levels year-round, making it one of the most arid regions.

Urumqi has four distinct seasons. Winters here are cold and dry, with average temperatures significantly below freezing, especially in January and December, when there is practically no precipitation. Summers, on the other hand, are warm and even hot, with peak temperatures in July, but also with minimal rainfall. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with more moderate temperatures, yet still with few rainy days.

The main feature of the weather in Urumqi is its aridity. Travelers should be prepared for dry air and a large temperature range between day and night, as well as between seasons. The number of rainy days is minimal, making sunny weather predominant for most of the year.

Urumqi experiences substantial temperature contrasts throughout the year. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature is -11.7°C, with minimum values potentially dropping to -15.7°C, and maximums rarely rising above -7.7°C. December is also very cold, with an average temperature of -10.2°C. Conversely, the hottest month is July, with an average temperature of +25.3°C; during this period, daytime highs often reach +31.1°C, while nighttime lows remain at +19.4°C. August is also characterized by high temperatures, averaging +23.1°C.

The summer months in Urumqi, from June to August, are characterized by hot and predominantly dry weather. Average daytime temperatures range from +28.7°C in June to +31.1°C in July, creating conditions for true summer heat. The low amount of precipitation (only about 1 mm per month) emphasizes the arid nature of the summer season. Winter, covering the period from December to February, is conversely freezing and practically snowless. Monthly average temperatures during this time vary from -7.3°C in February to -11.7°C in January, and nighttime temperatures regularly drop significantly below -10°C, reaching -15.7°C in January. Winter precipitation is minimal, often equal to zero.

Spring and autumn in Urumqi are transitional seasons with rapid changes in temperature regimes. In March, the average temperature is +3.5°C, but by April it rises to +11.5°C, and in May it reaches a comfortable +17.6°C. In autumn, the reverse process occurs: September is still warm (+16.9°C), but in October the average temperature drops to +8.7°C, and November brings the first frosts with an average temperature of -0.9°C. Urumqi is characterized by significant diurnal temperature fluctuations throughout the year, but they are especially noticeable in the off-season (spring and autumn), when the difference between day and night temperatures can exceed 10-13°C.

Urumqi is characterized by an extremely arid climate throughout the year. The total amount of precipitation is minimal, and the city does not experience a distinct rainy season. Instead, precipitation is distributed very scantily, with slight variations in the number of wet days between months, but not in their intensity.

In the winter months, such as January, February, and December, when average temperatures drop significantly below freezing (from -7.7°C to -15.7°C), any precipitation falls mainly in the form of snow. Notably, 0 mm of precipitation is recorded during these months, despite the presence of 2 to 4 "wet days". This indicates very rare and likely extremely light snowfall. In transitional months, such as March (average temperature 3.5°C) and November (average temperature -0.9°C), precipitation can also take the form of snow or wet snow, amounting to about 1 mm.

From April to October, when temperatures are consistently positive, precipitation falls in the form of light rain. The volume of this rain is also extremely small, amounting to just 1 mm per month. The "driest" months in terms of precipitation volume are January, February, and December. The highest number of days with precipitation (6 days each) falls in March, May, September, October, and November, but even during these periods, the total amount of precipitation remains at just 1 mm. The summer months, June and July, also receive 1 mm of precipitation distributed over 4 wet days, highlighting the constant aridity of the Urumqi region.

When planning a trip to Urumqi, it is important to consider its sharply continental climate with large annual and diurnal temperature fluctuations. The winter months, from December to February, are very cold here: the average temperature hovers around -10°C to -12°C, and night frosts can drop to -15°C and below. Therefore, your suitcase must include the warmest clothing: thermal underwear, insulated trousers, wool sweaters or fleece jackets, a reliable down jacket or winter parka (preferably windproof), as well as a warm hat, scarf, and gloves or mittens. Despite the minimal precipitation (0 mm in January, February, and December), due to low temperatures, snow may lie on the ground, and a few days a month may be marked as "wet," which usually means light snow.

Summer in Urumqi, from June to August, is conversely hot and sunny. Average temperatures rise to +23°C – +25°C, and daytime highs often exceed +30°C. For this season, choose light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton or linen. Don't forget headwear (a hat or cap), sunglasses, and sunscreen with a high SPF factor, as the sun here is very active. Although precipitation in summer is also rare (about 1 mm per month), the air can be dry, so drink plenty of water and carry moisturizers with you.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons with highly variable weather. March and November can be cool, with temperatures hovering around freezing or even lower, while May and September will delight you with warmth similar to summer. Here, the principle of layering in clothing will be most appropriate: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, light sweaters or fleeces, as well as a mid-season jacket (windbreaker or light raincoat). Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are your main companion. Given the generally low amount of precipitation (averaging 1 mm per month during these periods, with 5-6 "wet" days), a heavy raincoat is not needed, but a compact umbrella or a light waterproof jacket may come in handy in case of rare rains.