Climate Insights for Beijing
Climate Overview
The climate in Beijing is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 575 mm of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 217 mm of rainfall. Beijing is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: June, July, August. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to -9°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.The climate in Beijing is temperate. The average annual temperature is 56°F and approximately 22.7 in of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 8.5 in of rainfall. Beijing is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: June, July, August. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to 16°F. Light snow can occur between January and December.
Temperature
Beijing has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 42°C from the coldest to warmest months. The warmest month is June, when average highs reach 33°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -9°C and the daily average is -3°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 12°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 9°C shift in average temperatures.Beijing has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 76°F from the coldest to warmest months. The warmest month is June, when average highs reach 92°F and the mean temperature sits around 81°F. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to 16°F and the daily average is 26°F. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 21°F between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 16°F shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Beijing is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 575 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 48 mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 217 mm of rainfall. August and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 2 mm. That's 215 mm less than July, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 12cm annually. February is the snowiest month with approximately 3cm.Beijing is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 22.7 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 1.9 in per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 8.5 in of rainfall. August and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 0.1 in. That's 8.5 in less than July, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 5in annually. February is the snowiest month with approximately 1in.
Wind
Beijing is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 8km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is April, averaging 10km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 6km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 4km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.Beijing is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 5mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is April, averaging 6mph, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 4mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 2mph gap between the calmest and windiest months.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Beijing is during April, May and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 33 mm per month. By contrast, June can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 33°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -9°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.The best time to visit Beijing is during April, May and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 68°F with modest rainfall averaging 1.3 in per month. By contrast, June can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 92°F, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 16°F. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Beijing based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.The table below shows monthly climate averages for Beijing based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in inches (in) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.