China · 30-year monthly climate averages
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months to visit Shanghai are April, May and October, when daytime temperatures are agreeable and rainfall is relatively low.
Shanghai sees its warmest weather in July, when daytime highs average around 32°C, and its coolest in January (around 8°C).
Annual precipitation totals roughly 1236mm — August is typically the wettest month (~210mm) and December the driest (~49mm).
A distinctly wetter period runs from June to September — worth planning around if you prefer dry days.
August is the sunniest month, with about 187 hours of sunshine.
🟧 avg daytime high · 🟦 dashed: avg nighttime low · bars: monthly rainfall
Daily forecast highs vs the 30-year normal — last 60 days
Each bar is one day: orange above normal, blue below.
| Month | High / Low | Rainfall | Travel rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8° / 2°C | 70mm | 🤔 Fair |
| February | 10° / 4°C | 64mm | 🤔 Fair |
| March | 14° / 7°C | 87mm | 🤔 Fair |
| April | 20° / 12°C | 77mm | 🌟 Great |
| May | 25° / 18°C | 90mm | 🌟 Great |
| June | 28° / 22°C | 197mm | 🤔 Fair |
| July | 32° / 26°C | 147mm | 🤔 Fair |
| August | 32° / 26°C | 210mm | ⚠️ Challenging |
| September | 28° / 22°C | 117mm | 👍 Good |
| October | 23° / 17°C | 71mm | 🌟 Great |
| November | 18° / 11°C | 58mm | 👍 Good |
| December | 11° / 4°C | 49mm | 🤔 Fair |
January in Shanghai is chilly, with average daytime highs around 8°C (47°F) and nighttime lows near 2°C (36°F). Expect roughly 70mm of precipitation spread over about 8 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
☀️ About 110 hours of sunshine over the month (~4h/day).
🎒 What to pack — jacket or coat · long-sleeve layers
February in Shanghai is chilly, with average daytime highs around 10°C (50°F) and nighttime lows near 4°C (38°F). Expect roughly 64mm of precipitation spread over about 7 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
☀️ About 115 hours of sunshine over the month (~4h/day).
🎒 What to pack — jacket or coat · long-sleeve layers
March in Shanghai is mild, with average daytime highs around 14°C (58°F) and nighttime lows near 7°C (44°F). Expect roughly 87mm of precipitation spread over about 10 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
☀️ About 137 hours of sunshine over the month (~5h/day).
🎒 What to pack — light jacket · layers for cool evenings
April in Shanghai is pleasantly warm, with average daytime highs around 20°C (68°F) and nighttime lows near 12°C (54°F). Expect roughly 77mm of precipitation spread over about 8 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
☀️ About 157 hours of sunshine over the month (~5h/day).
🎒 What to pack — light layers · comfortable walking shoes
May in Shanghai is warm, with average daytime highs around 25°C (77°F) and nighttime lows near 18°C (64°F). Expect roughly 90mm of precipitation spread over about 8 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
☀️ About 170 hours of sunshine over the month (~6h/day).
🎒 What to pack — light summer clothing · sunscreen and sunglasses
June in Shanghai is warm, with average daytime highs around 28°C (82°F) and nighttime lows near 22°C (71°F). Expect roughly 197mm of precipitation spread over about 10 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
☀️ About 121 hours of sunshine over the month (~4h/day).
🎒 What to pack — light summer clothing · sunscreen and sunglasses · compact umbrella or rain jacket
July in Shanghai is hot, with average daytime highs around 32°C (90°F) and nighttime lows near 26°C (79°F). Expect roughly 147mm of precipitation spread over about 9 rainy days, and this is one of the wetter months.
☀️ About 185 hours of sunshine over the month (~6h/day).
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
August in Shanghai is hot, with average daytime highs around 32°C (89°F) and nighttime lows near 26°C (79°F). Expect roughly 210mm of precipitation spread over about 10 rainy days, and heavy rainfall is common — this is peak wet season territory.
☀️ About 187 hours of sunshine over the month (~6h/day).
🎒 What to pack — breathable summer clothing · sunscreen, hat and sunglasses · refillable water bottle · compact umbrella or rain jacket
September in Shanghai is warm, with average daytime highs around 28°C (82°F) and nighttime lows near 22°C (72°F). Expect roughly 117mm of precipitation spread over about 7 rainy days, and this is one of the wetter months.
☀️ About 161 hours of sunshine over the month (~5h/day).
🎒 What to pack — light summer clothing · sunscreen and sunglasses · compact umbrella or rain jacket
October in Shanghai is pleasantly warm, with average daytime highs around 23°C (73°F) and nighttime lows near 17°C (62°F). Expect roughly 71mm of precipitation spread over about 5 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
☀️ About 158 hours of sunshine over the month (~5h/day).
🎒 What to pack — light layers · comfortable walking shoes
November in Shanghai is mild, with average daytime highs around 18°C (64°F) and nighttime lows near 11°C (51°F). Expect roughly 58mm of precipitation spread over about 7 rainy days, with little rainfall.
☀️ About 127 hours of sunshine over the month (~4h/day).
🎒 What to pack — light jacket · layers for cool evenings
December in Shanghai is chilly, with average daytime highs around 11°C (52°F) and nighttime lows near 4°C (40°F). Expect roughly 49mm of precipitation spread over about 6 rainy days, with little rainfall.
☀️ About 127 hours of sunshine over the month (~4h/day).
🎒 What to pack — jacket or coat · long-sleeve layers