Climate Insights for Zhaotong

The climate in Zhaotong is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 1077mm of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 215mm of rainfall. Zhaotong 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 -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. July 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 November and December, with a 5°C shift in average temperatures.

Zhaotong is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1077mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 90mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 215mm of rainfall. June and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 22mm. That's 193mm 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 41cm annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 13cm.

Zhaotong is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 11km/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 12km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in October, with average winds dropping to 10km/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 Zhaotong, which began on March 20, 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 July at around 25°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -1°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 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, July 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.