Climate Insights for Xi’an

The climate in Xi’an is temperate. The average annual temperature is 15°C and approximately 900mm of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 166mm of rainfall. Xi’an is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to -3°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.

Temperatures in Xi’an vary considerably across the year, with a 35°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 32°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -3°C and the daily average is 2°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 7°C shift in average temperatures.

Xi’an is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 900mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 75mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 166mm of rainfall. September and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 8mm. That's 158mm 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 17cm annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 7cm.

Xi’an is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 9km/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 December, with average winds dropping to 8km/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 spring in Xi’an, which began on March 20, 2026. Xi’an 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 July at around 32°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -3°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Xi’an is during April and May, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 19°C with modest rainfall averaging 69mm per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 32°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -3°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 Xi’an 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.