Weather in Zhangye

Planning your day in Zhangye? In this section, you will find the most up-to-date information on weather conditions, as well as detailed forecasts and useful charts to help you prepare for any whims of nature.

The climate in Zhangye is defined as sharply continental and arid. This means the city experiences significant annual and daily temperature fluctuations. A key feature of the local weather is the extremely low amount of precipitation throughout the year, which results in very dry air.

There are four distinct seasons in Zhangye. Winter (December-February) is cold and practically snowless, as precipitation barely falls during these months (0 mm). The average temperature in January holds around -7.0°C, while nighttime lows can reach -13.6°C. Spring (March-May) brings rapid warming – by May the average temperature rises to +15.6°C – but remains very dry, with rainfall not exceeding 1 mm per month (for example, in May, 1 mm over 5 days). Summer (June-August) is warm, sometimes hot; July is the warmest month with an average temperature of +22.0°C and highs up to +28.4°C. The summer months see the highest, though still extremely modest, amount of rainfall: June and July bring about 1 mm (over 6 and 7 days with precipitation respectively), and August up to 2 mm (about 9 days). Autumn (September-November) is characterized by rapid cooling (average November temperature is about +0.8°C) and continued dry weather with minimal precipitation (0-1 mm per month).

Thus, the key features of the climate in Zhangye are exceptional dryness and significant temperature contrasts both between seasons and throughout the day. Travellers planning a visit are advised to consider these aspects: bring moisturising products and choose clothing suitable for sharp temperature changes to make your journey as comfortable as possible.

The annual temperature progression in Zhangye demonstrates a pronounced continental character with a large range between seasons. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature drops to -7.0°C, night frosts can reach -13.6°C, and daytime highs rarely rise above -0.4°C. Conversely, July – the peak of summer – brings the warmest weather: the average temperature is +22.0°C, with daytime highs reaching +28.4°C and nighttime lows around +15.6°C.

The summer months in Zhangye, from June to August, are characterized by warmth, turning into heat during the daytime, and pleasant coolness at night. Average daily highs range from +26.5°C in June and August to +28.4°C in July. Nights bring relief from the daytime heat, with temperatures dropping on average to +13.4°C - +15.6°C. Such a significant difference between day and night temperatures, often exceeding 10-12°C, is a characteristic feature of the local climate. This means that even on a hot summer day, the evening can be quite fresh, so it is worth having a light jacket or sweater with you.

Winter in Zhangye, covering the period from December to February, is frosty and dry. Monthly average temperatures during this period are negative: from -3.3°C in February to -7.0°C in January. During the day, the thermometer often hovers around zero or slightly below (e.g., -0.4°C in January, +3.6°C in February), while nights are consistently cold, with minimum temperatures from -10.3°C to -13.6°C. Just like in summer, substantial daily temperature fluctuations are observed in winter. For instance, in March, the average high reaches +12.3°C, while the low drops to -3.1°C, creating a large contrast within a single day.

Zhangye is characterized by an extremely arid climate throughout the year, so it is difficult to distinguish clearly defined wet and dry seasons in the usual sense. Precipitation in the city is a rare and meager phenomenon in any month, making it one of the driest places.

The driest period in Zhangye covers the months from October to April, when the average monthly precipitation is 0 mm. During the cold months of this period – from November to March – when temperatures regularly drop below zero, any insignificant moisture, if it appears at all, is likely to be in the form of light snow, frost, or rime. Despite zero recorded precipitation figures, anywhere from 1 (in January and March) to 4 (in April) "wet days" may be recorded during these months, indicating extremely rare and minimal manifestations of humidity that do not reach measurable levels.

A slight and very relative increase in precipitation is observed in the summer months, from May to September. During this period, 1 to 2 mm of precipitation may fall per month. August stands out as the "wettest" month of the year, but even then, the total amount of precipitation is only about 2 mm, distributed over approximately 9 days. July and June also bring about 1 mm of precipitation, with 7 and 6 days with precipitation respectively. It is important to note that even in these summer months, rains are usually very light and short-lived, having no significant impact on the overall dryness of the region.

When planning a trip to Zhangye, it is important to consider its sharply continental and extremely arid climate. The key advice is to dress in layers, as daily temperature fluctuations can be significant at any time of the year. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will be useful, as the sun can be active even in cool weather. Due to the extreme dryness of the air, do not forget to bring moisturising cream and lip balm.

In winter (December-February), it is very cold in Zhangye; average temperatures drop below zero (down to -7.0°C in January), and night frosts can be severe (down to -13.6°C). You will need very warm items: thermal underwear, fleece sweaters, a warm down jacket or winter coat, as well as a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Windproof outerwear will be very useful, as precipitation in the form of snow practically does not occur (0 mm). In summer (June-August), it is warm or even hot during the day (average July temperature +22.0°C, highs up to +28.4°C), but evenings can be cool. Take light, breathable clothing made of natural fabrics, shorts, t-shirts, as well as a light jacket or sweater for evening walks. Precipitation in summer is minimal (1-2 mm per month), so heavy rain gear will not be required; a light windbreaker may be more appropriate.

In spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather in Zhangye is the most variable. Days can be quite warm, especially in May (average temperature +15.6°C) and September (average +15.9°C), but temperatures drop significantly in the morning and evening (for example, in March the average minimum is -3.1°C, and in November +0.8°C). The ideal solution would be layered clothing: t-shirts that can be worn under a long-sleeved shirt or sweater, and a mid-season jacket, preferably windproof. This way, you can easily adapt to changing conditions throughout the day. Given the almost complete absence of significant precipitation year-round (0-1 mm in these seasons), an umbrella is unlikely to be an essential item.