Climate Insights for Kunming

The climate in Kunming is temperate. The average annual temperature is 16°C and approximately 1373mm of precipitation falls per year. June is the wettest month, receiving around 267mm of rainfall. Kunming is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: May, June, August. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to 4°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.

Temperatures in Kunming vary considerably across the year, with a 21°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is May, when average highs reach 25°C and the mean temperature sits around 20°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 4°C and an average of 9°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between February and March, with a 5°C shift in average temperatures.

Kunming is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1373mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 114mm per month. The wettest month is June, averaging 267mm of rainfall. August and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 24mm. That's 243mm less than June, 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 9cm annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 5cm.

Kunming is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 18km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is March, averaging 25km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 12km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind speeds vary significantly across the year, with a 13km/h difference between the calmest and windiest months. This level of variation is worth factoring into travel plans. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 20km/h in winter, 23km/h in spring, 14km/h in summer, 14km/h in autumn.

It is currently spring in Kunming, which began on March 20, 2026. Kunming is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in May at around 25°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 4°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.

The best time to visit Kunming is during March and April, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 17°C with modest rainfall averaging 50mm per month. By contrast, May can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 25°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 4°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Kunming 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.