Weather in Yan'an

Planning a trip or a walk around the city of Yan'an? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date weather information, including detailed forecasts and visual charts to help you plan your day.

The climate in Yan'an, located in China, is characterised as continental with four distinct seasons. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, which is important to consider when planning a trip.

Winters in Yan'an (from December to February) are quite cold and dry, with average temperatures below freezing and minimal precipitation. Spring (from March to May) brings gradual warming, although precipitation remains low. Summer (from June to August) is the warmest period, with average temperatures above 20°C; this time also sees the highest amount of rainfall and rainy days, although the climate generally remains relatively arid. Autumn (from September to November) is characterised by a gradual drop in temperature and a decrease in rainfall, creating comfortable conditions for visiting.

Overall, the weather in Yan'an is distinguished by dry conditions for most of the year, with a slight increase in humidity and the number of rainy days during the summer months. The most notable feature is the significant temperature difference between winter and summer, which is typical for a continental climate.

The temperature pattern in Yan'an shows significant fluctuations throughout the year, which is characteristic of a continental climate. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature is around -3.7°C, and nightly lows can drop to -9.1°C. Daytime highs in January rarely exceed +1.8°C. Conversely, July is recognised as the hottest month, with an average temperature of +23.7°C. During this period, daytime temperatures can reach +28.8°C, creating a truly summery atmosphere.

The summer months in Yan'an, from June to August, are distinguished by their warmth. In June, the average temperature holds at around +21.9°C (ranging from +16.1°C at night to +27.7°C during the day), and in August, it is around +22.0°C (from +17.4°C to +26.6°C). During this period, daytime temperatures are consistently high, making it ideal for those who love the warmth. Nights bring some relief but remain sufficiently warm, especially in July, when the minimum temperature averages +18.6°C.

Winter in Yan'an, covering December, January, and February, is characterised by frosty weather. Average temperatures in December (-3.3°C) and February (-0.3°C) are also below freezing, with night frosts reaching -8.8°C in December and -6.2°C in February. During the day, the temperature may rise slightly above zero, but overall, winter is cold and dry. One of the features of Yan'an's climate is the notable diurnal temperature variation. The difference between daytime highs and nightly lows often exceeds 10°C, and in some months, such as March (from +0.4°C to +13.8°C) or April (from +6.2°C to +18.7°C), it can be even more substantial, which is worth considering when planning your wardrobe for the trip.

Precipitation in Yan'an is distributed unevenly throughout the year, highlighting the generally arid nature of the climate in this region of China. There is a distinct dry season covering the winter months and early spring, and a relatively wetter, yet still modest in terms of rainfall, summer period. Most of the year is characterised by very low precipitation levels.

The wettest months in Yan'an are July and August. In August, an average of 4 mm of precipitation falls, and in July, 3 mm. These summer months also record the highest number of days with precipitation – approximately 12 days in each. However, given the small total amount in millimetres, the precipitation is likely to be in the form of short and not very intense showers. June and September also bring a little moisture, with 2 mm of rainfall and 7-9 days with precipitation respectively.

Winter in Yan'an is exceptionally dry. From December to March, the amount of measurable precipitation is 0 mm. Despite this, January and February register about 3 "wet days", and December sees just 1 such day. Given the sub-zero average temperatures during this period (from -9.1°C to +5.5°C), these "wet days" are likely associated with very light snow that does not form significant cover, or frost, rather than rain. The spring months of April and May, as well as the autumn months of October and November, remain quite dry, with precipitation ranging from 1 to 2 mm and 3 to 7 days with precipitation, indicating rare and light rains.

When planning a trip to Yan'an, it is important to consider the significant seasonal temperature fluctuations. In winter (from December to February) and during the cold transitional periods (November, early March), you will need very warm clothing. Be sure to bring an insulated jacket or coat, warm sweaters, thermal underwear, a hat, gloves, and a scarf, as temperatures often drop significantly below freezing, especially at night. Since precipitation in winter is minimal and may consist of light snow or frost, the main focus should be on protection from the cold. The principle of layering your clothes will be particularly useful, allowing you to adapt to temperature changes throughout the day.

In spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), the weather in Yan'an becomes milder. During these periods, it is worth bringing clothes that are easy to combine: a light jacket, a fleece top, jumpers, and t-shirts. In summer (June-August), warm and sometimes hot weather sets in. For this time of year, the ideal choice would be light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics. Don't forget sunscreen with high SPF, headwear (a hat or cap), and sunglasses for protection against the active sun. Although the total amount of rainfall is low, the number of rainy days increases in the summer months, so a compact umbrella or a light waterproof windbreaker may prove very useful. And, of course, regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are your main companion for comfortably exploring the city.