Climate Insights for Zhaotong

The climate in Zhaotong is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 1072mm of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 205mm of rainfall. Zhaotong is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to -1°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.

Temperatures in Zhaotong vary considerably across the year, with a 26°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. August is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 25°C with a mean of 20°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -1°C and the daily average is 4°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 5°C shift in average temperatures.

Zhaotong is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1072mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 89mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 205mm of rainfall. June and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 20mm. That's 186mm 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 46cm annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 12cm.

Zhaotong is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 6km/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 8km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 5km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 3km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently summer in Zhaotong, which began on June 21, 2026. Zhaotong 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 25°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -1°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (3 days from now).

The best time to visit Zhaotong is during May, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 16°C with modest rainfall averaging 94mm per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 25°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -1°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 Zhaotong 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.