Climate Insights for Shanghai

The climate in Shanghai is temperate. The average annual temperature is 18°C and approximately 1355mm of precipitation falls per year. Shanghai receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Shanghai is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, September. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 3°C.

Temperatures in Shanghai vary considerably across the year, with a 30°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 33°C and the mean temperature sits around 30°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 3°C and an average of 6°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 6°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between November and December, with a 7°C shift in average temperatures.

Shanghai is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1355mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 113mm per month. The wettest month is June, averaging 268mm of rainfall. July and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 35mm. That's 233mm 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.

Shanghai is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 13km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is July, averaging 14km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in September, with average winds dropping to 12km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently summer in Shanghai, which began on June 21, 2026. Shanghai 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 August at around 33°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 3°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (9 days from now).

The best time to visit Shanghai is during October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 20°C with modest rainfall averaging 79mm per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 33°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 3°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Shanghai 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. 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.