Shanghai weather
World cities · China · 31.23°N 121.47°E
Shanghai, in China, has its warmest weather in August, when daytime temperatures average 33.4°C, while January nights are the coldest at around 1.6°C. The city sees roughly 1457mm of rain a year; July is normally the wettest month and December the driest. Figures are averaged from 2020–2024 observations.
Climate averages
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9.8° | 1.6° | 70mm | 8 |
| Feb | 11.1° | 3.3° | 76mm | 10 |
| Mar | 16.3° | 7.3° | 99mm | 11 |
| Apr | 20.3° | 11.3° | 103mm | 10 |
| May | 25.4° | 16.3° | 110mm | 11 |
| Jun | 28.6° | 21.2° | 247mm | 18 |
| Jul | 32.2° | 25.5° | 283mm | 18 |
| Aug | 33.4° | 25.9° | 117mm | 14 |
| Sep | 28.4° | 22° | 187mm | 14 |
| Oct | 22.8° | 15.9° | 65mm | 7 |
| Nov | 18.3° | 10.5° | 78mm | 8 |
| Dec | 10.6° | 2.6° | 22mm | 4 |
Seasons in Shanghai
Spring (March–May). Daytime highs in Shanghai climb from 16.3°C in March to 25.4°C by May, while nights ease from 7.3°C to 16.3°C. The season brings around 312mm of rain in total.
Summer (June–August). The warmest stretch of the year: afternoons average 31.4°C, peaking in August at 33.4°C. August is usually the driest of the summer months (117mm over ~14 rainy days). Around the June solstice, Shanghai gets roughly 14.0 hours of daylight.
Autumn (September–November). Daytime temperatures fall from 28.4°C in September to 18.3°C by November, with around 330mm of rain across the season.
Winter (December–February). Nights average 2.5°C, with January the coldest month (average low 1.6°C, daytime high 9.8°C). Expect about 22 days with measurable rain over the three months, and only around 10.0 hours of daylight in mid-December.
How Shanghai compares
| Shanghai | UK town average | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual rainfall | 1457mm | 1054mm |
| Rainy days per year | 133 | 167 |
| Summer daytime high | 31.4°C | 19.7°C |
| Winter night low | 2.5°C | 3.4°C |
Shanghai is about 38% wetter than the average for the 121 UK towns tracked on this site (1054mm), based on 2020–2024 monthly normals.
Shanghai weather FAQs
What is the warmest month in Shanghai?
August is typically the warmest month in Shanghai, with average daytime highs of 33.4°C. Summer afternoons (June–August) average around 31.4°C.
What is the wettest month in Shanghai?
July is usually the wettest month, with around 283mm of rain over roughly 18 rainy days. December is typically the driest (22mm).
How much does it rain in Shanghai per year?
Shanghai receives roughly 1457mm of precipitation per year, spread over about 133 days with at least 1mm of rain (based on 2020–2024 observations).
How cold are winters in Shanghai?
Winter nights (December–February) in Shanghai average around 2.5°C, with January typically the coldest month (average low 1.6°C).
When is the best time to visit Shanghai for good weather?
Late spring and summer offer the most reliable weather in Shanghai. August is typically the driest of the warm months (117mm of rain), while August is the warmest, averaging 33.4°C by day — and near the June solstice there are around 14 hours of daylight to enjoy.
How does Shanghai's weather compare with the UK?
Shanghai receives 1457mm of rain a year, about 38% wetter than the average for the 121 UK towns tracked on this site (1054mm). Summer daytime highs average 31.4°C against a UK-town average of 19.7°C, and winter nights average 2.5°C versus 3.4°C.