Climate of China

Köppen climate types of Mainland China

Owing to tremendous differences in latitude, longitude, and altitude, the climate of China is extremely diverse. It ranges from tropical in the far south to subarctic in the far north, and alpine in the higher elevations of the Tibetan Plateau. Monsoon winds, caused by differences in the heat-absorbing capacity of the continent and the ocean, dominate the climate. During the summer, the East Asian Monsoon carries warm and moist air from the south and delivers the vast majority of the annual precipitation in much of the country. Conversely, the Siberian anticyclone dominates during winter, bringing cold and comparatively dry conditions. The advance and retreat of the monsoons account, in large degree, for the timing of the rainy season throughout the country. Although most of the country lies in the temperate belt, its climatic patterns are complex.

Sanbao Township in Xinjiang currently holds the highest recorded temperature in China, at 52.2 °C (126.0 °F) on 16 July 2023.[1][2] Mohe City, Heilongjiang, holds the record for the lowest temperature in China, at −53.0 °C (−63.4 °F) on 22 January 2023.[3][4]

Overview

Temperature

Hardiness zones in China

The northern extremities of both Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia have a subarctic climate[5] with long, severe winters, and short, warm summers.[6] In contrast, most of Hainan Island and parts of the extreme southern fringes of Yunnan have a tropical climate.[5] Temperature differences in winter are considerable, but in summer, the variance is considerably less. For example, Mohe County, Heilongjiang, has a 24-hour average temperature in January approaching −30 °C (−22 °F), while the corresponding figure in July exceeds 18 °C (64 °F).[7] By contrast, most of Hainan, including the city of Haikou, has a January mean over 18 °C (64 °F), while the July mean there is generally around 29 °C (84 °F).[8]

In summer, temperatures can be very hot and humid, and the cities of Chongqing, Wuhan, and Nanjing are sometimes referred to as the Three Furnaces (simplified Chinese: 三大火炉; traditional Chinese: 三大火爐; pinyin: sān dà huǒlú).[9] Other cities are also known by this name.[10] Even so, the hottest temperatures nationwide are recorded in the Turpan Depression, where the climate is much drier and temperatures often exceed 40 °C (104 °F).[11][12]

Permafrost can be found at high elevations in the Tibetan Plateau and the Tian Shan mountains,[13][14] as well as other mountainous areas in Northern China.[14]

Precipitation

The average annual precipitation in Mainland China

In the winter, northern winds coming from high-latitude areas are cold and dry, while in summer, southern winds from coastal areas at lower latitudes are warm and moist.[15] Precipitation is almost always concentrated in the warmer months, though annual totals range from less than 20 millimetres (0.8 in) in northwestern Qinghai and the Turpan Depression of Xinjiang, to over 2,000 millimetres (79 in) in areas of southeast China, such as Hong Kong and Guangdong. Toksun County, located in the Turpan Depression, has an average rainfall of just 3.9 mm (0.15 in) annually, the lowest precipitation in any area in China.[16] High pressure cells create cold, dry conditions in the Gobi Desert in winter.[17] Only in some pockets of the Dzungaria region of Xinjiang is the conspicuous seasonal variation in precipitation that defines Chinese (and, to a large extent, East Asian) climate absent. The East Asian Monsoon, which controls the seasonal precipitation, varies from year to year.[18] It has historically been known as the plum rain.[19][20] Scientists have used pollen and dust to track its movements.[21][22]

Typhoons and flooding

Typhoons can affect China. In 1975, Typhoon Nina struck China, and may have killed up to 230,000 people as a result of the subsequent Banqiao Dam failure and famines.[23][24] Other death estimates remain below 100,000.[25] In 2006, Typhoon Saomai became one of the strongest typhoons to hit China when it made landfall in Zhejiang.[26][27] In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan caused extensive damage in China,[28] causing economic losses of ¥4.58 billion (US$752 million).[29] That same year, Typhoon Fitow became one of the costliest typhoons to strike China,[30][31] with several places setting rainfall records.[32][33] It was the costliest Chinese typhoon on record and caused several billion dollars in damage before it was beaten 10 years later by Typhoon Doksuri.[34] In 2018, Typhoon Mangkhut caused $1.99 billion in damage within China.[29] In 2021, Typhoon In-fa caused record-breaking rainfall in parts of China,[35][36] and over 12,000 temporary shelters had to be set up in Zhejiang.[37] In 2022, Typhoon Muifa became the strongest typhoon to landfall in Shanghai.[38]

During the wet season, typhoons and heavy rainfall can cause rivers to flood. The 1931 China floods are considered to be the worst Chinese natural disaster of all time, with estimates of fatalities ranging widely but going up to as high as four million people.[39][40] 15% of wheat and rice crops were destroyed in the Yangtze Valley, leading to famines.[41] Almost 800,000 in Wuhan were left homeless after a dike failure in July 1931.[42]: 270  The city was flooded under water for nearly three months.[42]: 269–270  The city of Nanjing was also severely affected,[43] and tens of thousands of people died in Gaoyou alone.[44] Other major floods include the 1954 Yangtze River Floods, which killed around 30,000 people,[45] the 1998 China floods, which caused significant damage and affected 180 million people,[45][46] and the 2020 China floods, which caused US$32 billion in damage.[47][48]

Tornadoes

Tornadoes occur frequently across China. Over 400 are recorded each year, with some reaching EF3 intensity. On June 23rd, 2016, a violent EF4 tornado ripped through the city of Yancheng in Jiangsu, killing 98 people and injuring 846, many of them critically.[49][50] Tornadoes occur most frequently in the eastern regions of China, but activity is also prevalent in the southern and central regions.[51]

Sunshine

Annual sunshine duration ranges from less than 1,000 hours in parts of Sichuan and Chongqing[52] to over 3,000 hours in parts of Xinjiang and Qinghai, including Golmud.[53] Some areas of Tibet, including Lhasa, are also sunny. Seasonal patterns in sunshine vary considerably by region, but overall, the north and the Tibetan Plateau are sunnier than the south of the country. In some cities in southern China, such as Hong Kong, spring is the cloudiest season and autumn is the sunniest.[54]

Environmental issues

Air pollution caused by industrial plants (a factory at the Yangtze River)

In 2020, China ranked 120th out of 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index.[55] The government has taken actions to mitigate environmental issues, but some media has criticized the actions as inadequate.[56]

A major environmental issue in China is the continued expansion of its deserts, particularly the Gobi Desert.[57][58] Although barrier tree lines planted since the 1970s have reduced the frequency of sandstorms, prolonged drought and poor agricultural practices have resulted in dust storms plaguing northern China each spring, which then spread to other parts of East Asia, including Japan and Korea. China's environmental watchdog, SEPA, stated in 2007 that China is losing 4,000 km2 (1,500 sq mi) per year to desertification.[59] Water quality, erosion, and pollution control have become important issues in China's relations with other countries. Melting glaciers in the Himalayas could potentially lead to water shortages for hundreds of millions of people.[60] According to academics, in order to limit climate change in China to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F), electricity generation from coal in China without carbon capture must be phased out by 2045.[61] Official government statistics about Chinese agricultural productivity are considered unreliable, due to exaggeration of production at subsidiary government levels.[62][63]

Much of China has a climate very suitable for agriculture and the country has been the world's largest producer of rice, wheat, tomatoes, eggplant, grapes, watermelon, spinach, and many other crops.[64]

Examples

Northeast China

Climate data for Beijing (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.3
(57.7)
25.6
(78.1)
29.5
(85.1)
33.5
(92.3)
41.1
(106.0)
41.1
(106.0)
41.9
(107.4)
39.3
(102.7)
35.2
(95.4)
31.0
(87.8)
23.3
(73.9)
19.5
(67.1)
41.9
(107.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 2.3
(36.1)
6.1
(43.0)
13.2
(55.8)
21.0
(69.8)
27.2
(81.0)
30.8
(87.4)
31.8
(89.2)
30.7
(87.3)
26.5
(79.7)
19.3
(66.7)
10.3
(50.5)
3.7
(38.7)
18.6
(65.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.7
(27.1)
0.6
(33.1)
7.5
(45.5)
15.1
(59.2)
21.3
(70.3)
25.3
(77.5)
27.2
(81.0)
26.1
(79.0)
21.2
(70.2)
13.8
(56.8)
5.2
(41.4)
−1.0
(30.2)
13.3
(55.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −6.9
(19.6)
−4.2
(24.4)
1.9
(35.4)
9.0
(48.2)
15.1
(59.2)
20.0
(68.0)
23.0
(73.4)
22.0
(71.6)
16.3
(61.3)
8.8
(47.8)
0.7
(33.3)
−5.0
(23.0)
8.4
(47.1)
Record low °C (°F) −22.8
(−9.0)
−27.4
(−17.3)
−15
(5)
−3.2
(26.2)
2.5
(36.5)
9.8
(49.6)
15.3
(59.5)
11.4
(52.5)
3.7
(38.7)
−3.5
(25.7)
−12.3
(9.9)
−18.3
(−0.9)
−27.4
(−17.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 2.2
(0.09)
5.8
(0.23)
8.6
(0.34)
21.7
(0.85)
36.1
(1.42)
72.4
(2.85)
169.7
(6.68)
113.4
(4.46)
53.7
(2.11)
28.7
(1.13)
13.5
(0.53)
2.2
(0.09)
528
(20.78)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 1.6 2.3 3.0 4.7 6.0 10.0 11.9 10.5 7.1 5.2 2.9 1.6 66.8
Average snowy days 2.8 2.5 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 2.8 11.2
Average relative humidity (%) 43 42 40 43 47 58 69 71 64 58 54 46 53
Mean monthly sunshine hours 188.1 189.1 231.1 243.2 265.1 221.6 190.5 205.3 206.1 199.9 173.4 177.1 2,490.5
Percent possible sunshine 62 62 62 61 59 50 42 49 56 59 59 61 57
Average ultraviolet index 2 3 4 6 8 9 9 8 6 4 2 1 5
Source 1: China Meteorological Administration[65][66]
Source 2: Extremes[a] and Weather Atlas[71]

Note

  1. ^ All-time record high;[67] February record high;[68] May record high;[69] June record high[70]
Climate data for Tianjin (1981–2010 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.3
(57.7)
20.8
(69.4)
30.5
(86.9)
33.1
(91.6)
40.5
(104.9)
40.1
(104.2)
40.5
(104.9)
37.4
(99.3)
34.9
(94.8)
30.8
(87.4)
23.1
(73.6)
14.4
(57.9)
40.5
(104.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 2.0
(35.6)
5.7
(42.3)
12.2
(54.0)
20.9
(69.6)
26.5
(79.7)
30.3
(86.5)
31.3
(88.3)
30.5
(86.9)
26.6
(79.9)
19.9
(67.8)
10.6
(51.1)
3.8
(38.8)
18.4
(65.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.4
(25.9)
−0.1
(31.8)
6.4
(43.5)
14.7
(58.5)
20.5
(68.9)
24.8
(76.6)
26.8
(80.2)
25.9
(78.6)
21.1
(70.0)
14.1
(57.4)
5.2
(41.4)
−1.2
(29.8)
12.9
(55.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −7.4
(18.7)
−4.4
(24.1)
1.7
(35.1)
9.3
(48.7)
15.1
(59.2)
20.0
(68.0)
22.9
(73.2)
22.2
(72.0)
16.7
(62.1)
9.4
(48.9)
1.1
(34.0)
−5.0
(23.0)
8.5
(47.3)
Record low °C (°F) −18.1
(−0.6)
−22.9
(−9.2)
−17.7
(0.1)
−2.8
(27.0)
4.5
(40.1)
10.1
(50.2)
16.2
(61.2)
13.7
(56.7)
6.2
(43.2)
−2.2
(28.0)
−11.4
(11.5)
−16.2
(2.8)
−22.9
(−9.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 2.5
(0.10)
3.6
(0.14)
8.1
(0.32)
22.1
(0.87)
36.8
(1.45)
79.7
(3.14)
149.8
(5.90)
124.1
(4.89)
44.7
(1.76)
26.5
(1.04)
10.8
(0.43)
2.8
(0.11)
511.5
(20.15)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 1.6 2.0 3.1 4.5 5.9 7.8 11.1 9.4 6.0 4.7 2.9 2.0 61
Average relative humidity (%) 57 54 51 50 55 64 75 76 69 64 61 59 61
Mean monthly sunshine hours 170.1 170.2 202.4 223.8 249.0 226.9 206.4 204.4 205.3 196.1 163.0 157.6 2,375.2
Percent possible sunshine 59 59 56 58 60 57 48 53 60 61 57 57 57
Source: China Meteorological Administration[72][73]
Climate data for Harbin (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1961–2000)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 4.2
(39.6)
9.9
(49.8)
20.7
(69.3)
29.4
(84.9)
34.6
(94.3)
36.7
(98.1)
39.2
(102.6)
35.6
(96.1)
31.0
(87.8)
26.5
(79.7)
17.2
(63.0)
8.5
(47.3)
39.2
(102.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −12.0
(10.4)
−6.3
(20.7)
2.8
(37.0)
14.0
(57.2)
21.5
(70.7)
26.5
(79.7)
27.8
(82.0)
26.5
(79.7)
21.2
(70.2)
12.3
(54.1)
−0.1
(31.8)
−9.2
(15.4)
10.4
(50.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −17.6
(0.3)
−12.4
(9.7)
−2.8
(27.0)
7.8
(46.0)
15.3
(59.5)
21.0
(69.8)
23.1
(73.6)
21.6
(70.9)
15.1
(59.2)
6.4
(43.5)
−4.9
(23.2)
−14.3
(6.3)
4.9
(40.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −22.9
(−9.2)
−18.3
(−0.9)
−8.5
(16.7)
1.4
(34.5)
8.8
(47.8)
15.2
(59.4)
18.6
(65.5)
16.9
(62.4)
9.3
(48.7)
0.9
(33.6)
−9.5
(14.9)
−19.0
(−2.2)
−0.6
(30.9)
Record low °C (°F) −38.1
(−36.6)
−33.7
(−28.7)
−28.4
(−19.1)
−12.8
(9.0)
−3.8
(25.2)
4.6
(40.3)
9.5
(49.1)
6.6
(43.9)
−4.8
(23.4)
−16.2
(2.8)
−26.5
(−15.7)
−35.7
(−32.3)
−42.6
(−44.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 4.2
(0.17)
4.9
(0.19)
11.9
(0.47)
20.1
(0.79)
39.3
(1.55)
88.2
(3.47)
147.8
(5.82)
122.6
(4.83)
56.3
(2.22)
23.0
(0.91)
12.7
(0.50)
6.9
(0.27)
537.9
(21.19)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 5.8 5.7 5.7 6.7 10.3 13.5 14.2 12.3 9.9 7.1 6.0 7.2 104.4
Average relative humidity (%) 71 66 55 48 51 62 76 78 69 61 63 69 64
Mean monthly sunshine hours 155.9 179.9 230.9 231.4 264.1 260.2 254.2 247.2 230.5 206.8 170.2 139.9 2,571.2
Percent possible sunshine 56 62 63 57 58 56 54 57 61 61 60 52 58
Average ultraviolet index 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 7 5 3 1 1 4
Source 1: China Meteorological Administration (sunshine data 1971–2000),[73][74] Weather China (precipitation days 1971–2000)[75]
Source 2: Weather Atlas[76]

Northwest China and Tibet

Climate data for Turpan (elevation 39 m (128 ft), 1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.5
(47.3)
19.5
(67.1)
31.7
(89.1)
40.5
(104.9)
43.6
(110.5)
47.6
(117.7)
49.1
(120.4)
47.8
(118.0)
43.4
(110.1)
34.3
(93.7)
23.0
(73.4)
9.6
(49.3)
49.1
(120.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −2.3
(27.9)
7.0
(44.6)
17.9
(64.2)
27.8
(82.0)
33.9
(93.0)
38.8
(101.8)
40.5
(104.9)
39.0
(102.2)
32.6
(90.7)
22.5
(72.5)
10.3
(50.5)
−0.4
(31.3)
22.3
(72.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) −6.7
(19.9)
1.3
(34.3)
11.6
(52.9)
20.7
(69.3)
26.6
(79.9)
31.6
(88.9)
33.1
(91.6)
31.2
(88.2)
24.6
(76.3)
14.5
(58.1)
4.4
(39.9)
−4.4
(24.1)
15.7
(60.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −10.3
(13.5)
−3.5
(25.7)
5.9
(42.6)
14.2
(57.6)
19.8
(67.6)
24.7
(76.5)
26.5
(79.7)
24.6
(76.3)
18.4
(65.1)
9.1
(48.4)
0.3
(32.5)
−7.6
(18.3)
10.2
(50.3)
Record low °C (°F) −28.9
(−20.0)
−24.5
(−12.1)
−10.4
(13.3)
−1.8
(28.8)
4.7
(40.5)
11.5
(52.7)
15.5
(59.9)
11.6
(52.9)
1.3
(34.3)
−5.7
(21.7)
−17.8
(0.0)
−26.1
(−15.0)
−28.9
(−20.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 0.9
(0.04)
0.5
(0.02)
0.7
(0.03)
0.9
(0.04)
1.0
(0.04)
2.6
(0.10)
2.0
(0.08)
2.0
(0.08)
1.4
(0.06)
1.2
(0.05)
0.6
(0.02)
0.9
(0.04)
14.7
(0.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.7 1.1 2.0 2.3 1.9 0.9 0.8 0.5 1.1 12.9
Average snowy days 2.5 0.9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 2.6 6.2
Average relative humidity (%) 56 40 25 23 25 27 30 31 35 45 50 56 37
Mean monthly sunshine hours 121.8 172.0 234.2 263.7 308.4 301.6 303.3 299.6 273.5 238.6 163.7 108.2 2,788.6
Percent possible sunshine 41 57 62 65 67 66 66 71 74 71 57 39 61
Source 1: China Meteorological Administration[77][78][79]
Source 2: [80]
Climate data for Lhasa (1986−2015 normals, extremes 1951−2022)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.5
(68.9)
21.3
(70.3)
25.1
(77.2)
25.9
(78.6)
29.4
(84.9)
30.8
(87.4)
30.4
(86.7)
27.2
(81.0)
26.5
(79.7)
24.8
(76.6)
22.8
(73.0)
20.1
(68.2)
30.8
(87.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.4
(47.1)
10.1
(50.2)
13.3
(55.9)
16.3
(61.3)
20.5
(68.9)
24.0
(75.2)
23.3
(73.9)
22.0
(71.6)
20.7
(69.3)
17.5
(63.5)
12.9
(55.2)
9.3
(48.7)
16.5
(61.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −0.3
(31.5)
2.3
(36.1)
5.9
(42.6)
9.0
(48.2)
13.1
(55.6)
16.7
(62.1)
16.5
(61.7)
15.4
(59.7)
13.8
(56.8)
9.4
(48.9)
3.8
(38.8)
−0.1
(31.8)
8.8
(47.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −7.4
(18.7)
−4.7
(23.5)
−0.8
(30.6)
2.7
(36.9)
6.8
(44.2)
10.9
(51.6)
11.4
(52.5)
10.7
(51.3)
8.9
(48.0)
3.1
(37.6)
−3
(27)
−6.8
(19.8)
2.7
(36.8)
Record low °C (°F) −16.5
(2.3)
−15.4
(4.3)
−13.6
(7.5)
−8.1
(17.4)
−2.7
(27.1)
2.0
(35.6)
4.5
(40.1)
3.3
(37.9)
0.3
(32.5)
−7.2
(19.0)
−11.2
(11.8)
−16.1
(3.0)
−16.5
(2.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 0.9
(0.04)
1.8
(0.07)
2.9
(0.11)
8.6
(0.34)
28.4
(1.12)
75.9
(2.99)
129.6
(5.10)
133.5
(5.26)
66.7
(2.63)
8.8
(0.35)
0.9
(0.04)
0.3
(0.01)
458.3
(18.06)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 0.6 1.2 2.1 5.4 9.0 14.0 19.4 19.9 14.6 4.1 0.6 0.4 91.3
Average relative humidity (%) 26 25 27 36 41 48 59 63 59 45 34 29 41
Mean monthly sunshine hours 250.9 231.2 253.2 248.8 280.4 260.7 227.0 214.3 232.7 280.3 267.1 257.2 3,003.8
Percent possible sunshine 78 72 66 65 66 61 53 54 62 80 84 82 67
Source 1: China Meteorological Administration,[81] all-time extreme temperature[82][83]
Source 2: China Meteorological Administration National Meteorological Information Center
Climate data for Ürümqi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 9.9
(49.8)
13.5
(56.3)
23.7
(74.7)
32.5
(90.5)
37.0
(98.6)
40.9
(105.6)
41.0
(105.8)
42.1
(107.8)
37.0
(98.6)
30.5
(86.9)
19.2
(66.6)
15.6
(60.1)
42.1
(107.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −7.4
(18.7)
−4.7
(23.5)
2.7
(36.9)
16.1
(61.0)
23.1
(73.6)
27.6
(81.7)
30.1
(86.2)
29.0
(84.2)
23.1
(73.6)
13.2
(55.8)
2.0
(35.6)
−4.4
(24.1)
12.5
(54.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) −12.6
(9.3)
−9.8
(14.4)
−1.7
(28.9)
10.0
(50.0)
16.7
(62.1)
21.5
(70.7)
23.7
(74.7)
22.4
(72.3)
16.7
(62.1)
7.7
(45.9)
−2.5
(27.5)
−9.3
(15.3)
6.9
(44.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −16.6
(2.1)
−13.7
(7.3)
−5.4
(22.3)
4.8
(40.6)
11.2
(52.2)
16.1
(61.0)
18.2
(64.8)
16.7
(62.1)
11.2
(52.2)
3.1
(37.6)
−5.9
(21.4)
−12.9
(8.8)
2.2
(36.0)
Record low °C (°F) −34.1
(−29.4)
−41.5
(−42.7)
−33.4
(−28.1)
−14.9
(5.2)
−2.4
(27.7)
4.6
(40.3)
8.8
(47.8)
5.0
(41.0)
−5.0
(23.0)
−12.4
(9.7)
−36.6
(−33.9)
−38.3
(−36.9)
−41.5
(−42.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 10.4
(0.41)
10.0
(0.39)
18.5
(0.73)
32.3
(1.27)
38.9
(1.53)
36.2
(1.43)
30.4
(1.20)
23.3
(0.92)
26.2
(1.03)
26.3
(1.04)
19.1
(0.75)
14.6
(0.57)
286.2
(11.27)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 9.2 7.2 7.2 6.8 6.8 8.0 8.4 6.3 5.0 5.5 6.9 9.6 86.9
Average relative humidity (%) 78 77 72 48 43 43 43 41 44 58 74 78 58
Mean monthly sunshine hours 101.6 128.8 180.5 248.0 283.3 282.7 298.7 301.0 262.6 224.4 127.4 84.3 2,523.3
Percent possible sunshine 35 44 49 62 63 61 64 70 70 66 44 30 57
Source: China Meteorological Administration

Central China

Climate data for Chongqing (Shapingba District, 1981–2010 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.8
(65.8)
24.6
(76.3)
34.0
(93.2)
36.5
(97.7)
38.9
(102.0)
44.1
(111.4)
42.0
(107.6)
43.9
(111.0)
43.9
(111.0)
39.1
(102.4)
29.2
(84.6)
21.5
(70.7)
44.1
(111.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 10.3
(50.5)
12.9
(55.2)
17.7
(63.9)
23.0
(73.4)
27.2
(81.0)
29.4
(84.9)
33.0
(91.4)
33.2
(91.8)
28.3
(82.9)
21.7
(71.1)
17.1
(62.8)
11.5
(52.7)
22.1
(71.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 7.9
(46.2)
10.0
(50.0)
13.8
(56.8)
18.6
(65.5)
22.6
(72.7)
25.1
(77.2)
28.3
(82.9)
28.3
(82.9)
24.1
(75.4)
18.6
(65.5)
14.2
(57.6)
9.2
(48.6)
18.4
(65.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 6.2
(43.2)
8.0
(46.4)
11.2
(52.2)
15.4
(59.7)
19.3
(66.7)
22.1
(71.8)
24.8
(76.6)
24.7
(76.5)
21.2
(70.2)
16.5
(61.7)
12.3
(54.1)
7.7
(45.9)
15.8
(60.4)
Record low °C (°F) −1.8
(28.8)
−0.8
(30.6)
1.2
(34.2)
2.8
(37.0)
10.8
(51.4)
15.5
(59.9)
19.2
(66.6)
17.8
(64.0)
14.3
(57.7)
6.9
(44.4)
0.7
(33.3)
−27.7
(−17.9)
−27.7
(−17.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 19.7
(0.78)
23.3
(0.92)
43.2
(1.70)
95.2
(3.75)
145.9
(5.74)
192.6
(7.58)
186.0
(7.32)
137.9
(5.43)
105.8
(4.17)
85.8
(3.38)
48.3
(1.90)
24.3
(0.96)
1,108
(43.63)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 10.0 9.8 11.9 14.3 15.5 15.7 12.5 11.3 12.7 16.1 11.5 9.8 151.1
Average relative humidity (%) 84 80 77 77 77 81 76 74 79 85 84 85 80
Mean monthly sunshine hours 20.6 29.7 64.9 93.6 109.4 97.7 158.6 167.0 106.6 50.4 35.9 20.4 954.8
Percent possible sunshine 8 11 18 25 26 26 42 48 28 18 13 8 24
Average ultraviolet index 4 6 8 10 11 12 12 11 10 7 5 4 8
Source 1: China Meteorological Administration[84][52]
Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV Index)[85]
Climate data for Wuhan (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1951–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 25.4
(77.7)
29.1
(84.4)
32.4
(90.3)
35.1
(95.2)
36.1
(97.0)
37.8
(100.0)
41.1
(106.0)
39.6
(103.3)
38.1
(100.6)
34.4
(93.9)
30.4
(86.7)
23.3
(73.9)
41.1
(106.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.1
(46.6)
10.7
(51.3)
15.2
(59.4)
22.1
(71.8)
27.1
(80.8)
30.2
(86.4)
32.9
(91.2)
32.5
(90.5)
28.5
(83.3)
23.0
(73.4)
16.8
(62.2)
10.8
(51.4)
21.5
(70.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.0
(39.2)
6.6
(43.9)
10.9
(51.6)
17.4
(63.3)
22.6
(72.7)
26.2
(79.2)
29.1
(84.4)
28.4
(83.1)
24.1
(75.4)
18.2
(64.8)
11.9
(53.4)
6.2
(43.2)
17.1
(62.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.0
(33.8)
3.5
(38.3)
7.4
(45.3)
13.6
(56.5)
18.9
(66.0)
22.9
(73.2)
26.0
(78.8)
25.3
(77.5)
20.7
(69.3)
14.7
(58.5)
8.4
(47.1)
2.9
(37.2)
13.8
(56.8)
Record low °C (°F) −18.1
(−0.6)
−14.8
(5.4)
−5.0
(23.0)
−0.3
(31.5)
7.2
(45.0)
13.0
(55.4)
17.3
(63.1)
16.4
(61.5)
10.1
(50.2)
1.3
(34.3)
−7.1
(19.2)
−10.1
(13.8)
−18.1
(−0.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 48.7
(1.92)
65.5
(2.58)
91.0
(3.58)
135.7
(5.34)
166.8
(6.57)
218.2
(8.59)
228.1
(8.98)
117.5
(4.63)
74.0
(2.91)
80.9
(3.19)
60.0
(2.36)
29.6
(1.17)
1,316
(51.82)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 9.5 9.8 13.1 12.5 12.2 11.8 11.6 9.6 7.5 9.0 8.0 6.9 121.5
Average relative humidity (%) 76 75 75 75 74 77 77 77 75 76 75 73 75
Mean monthly sunshine hours 101.9 97.0 121.8 152.8 181.0 170.9 220.2 226.4 175.8 151.9 139.3 126.5 1,865.5
Percent possible sunshine 33 33 31 39 43 43 54 59 48 46 45 43 43
Source: China Meteorological Administration (precipitation days and sunshine 1971–2000)[86][87]
Climate data for Xi'an (normals 1981–2010, extremes 1951–2013)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.0
(62.6)
24.1
(75.4)
31.3
(88.3)
34.9
(94.8)
38.6
(101.5)
41.8
(107.2)
41.0
(105.8)
40.0
(104.0)
38.5
(101.3)
34.1
(93.4)
24.5
(76.1)
21.6
(70.9)
41.8
(107.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.1
(41.2)
8.9
(48.0)
14.4
(57.9)
21.5
(70.7)
26.6
(79.9)
31.4
(88.5)
32.4
(90.3)
30.3
(86.5)
25.6
(78.1)
19.3
(66.7)
12.4
(54.3)
6.3
(43.3)
19.5
(67.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.3
(32.5)
3.6
(38.5)
8.7
(47.7)
15.4
(59.7)
20.5
(68.9)
25.3
(77.5)
27.0
(80.6)
25.1
(77.2)
20.3
(68.5)
14.1
(57.4)
7.2
(45.0)
1.5
(34.7)
14.1
(57.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −3.3
(26.1)
−0.4
(31.3)
4.1
(39.4)
10.3
(50.5)
15.1
(59.2)
19.9
(67.8)
22.3
(72.1)
21.0
(69.8)
16.5
(61.7)
10.2
(50.4)
3.2
(37.8)
−2.2
(28.0)
9.7
(49.5)
Record low °C (°F) −20.6
(−5.1)
−18.7
(−1.7)
−7.6
(18.3)
−4
(25)
3.5
(38.3)
9.2
(48.6)
15.1
(59.2)
12.1
(53.8)
4.8
(40.6)
−1.9
(28.6)
−16.8
(1.8)
−19.3
(−2.7)
−20.6
(−5.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 6.7
(0.26)
9.8
(0.39)
27.1
(1.07)
37.5
(1.48)
54.9
(2.16)
64.5
(2.54)
97.5
(3.84)
78.6
(3.09)
94.1
(3.70)
61.7
(2.43)
21.5
(0.85)
7.3
(0.29)
561.2
(22.1)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 3.4 4.0 6.4 7.8 8.2 8.8 9.9 10.0 11.6 9.9 5.5 3.6 89.1
Average relative humidity (%) 65 62 64 64 65 61 68 75 77 76 73 68 68
Mean monthly sunshine hours 88.4 96.1 116.6 142.8 169.5 179.7 181.1 168.1 121.0 98.9 92.4 81.0 1,535.6
Percent possible sunshine 32 34 33 38 40 43 44 47 34 32 32 31 37
Source: China Meteorological Administration,[88] all-time extreme temperature[89]

East China

Climate data for Shanghai (Minhang District), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 22.1
(71.8)
27.0
(80.6)
29.6
(85.3)
34.3
(93.7)
36.4
(97.5)
37.5
(99.5)
40.9
(105.6)
39.9
(103.8)
38.2
(100.8)
36.0
(96.8)
28.7
(83.7)
24.0
(75.2)
40.9
(105.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.7
(47.7)
10.7
(51.3)
14.8
(58.6)
20.6
(69.1)
25.5
(77.9)
28.3
(82.9)
32.8
(91.0)
32.3
(90.1)
28.5
(83.3)
23.6
(74.5)
17.9
(64.2)
11.5
(52.7)
21.3
(70.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.9
(40.8)
6.6
(43.9)
10.4
(50.7)
15.8
(60.4)
20.9
(69.6)
24.4
(75.9)
28.8
(83.8)
28.5
(83.3)
24.7
(76.5)
19.5
(67.1)
13.7
(56.7)
7.3
(45.1)
17.1
(62.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.9
(35.4)
3.3
(37.9)
6.8
(44.2)
11.9
(53.4)
17.2
(63.0)
21.5
(70.7)
25.8
(78.4)
25.7
(78.3)
21.6
(70.9)
15.9
(60.6)
10.1
(50.2)
3.9
(39.0)
13.8
(56.8)
Record low °C (°F) −10.1
(13.8)
−7.9
(17.8)
−5.4
(22.3)
−0.5
(31.1)
6.9
(44.4)
12.3
(54.1)
16.3
(61.3)
18.8
(65.8)
10.8
(51.4)
1.7
(35.1)
−4.2
(24.4)
−8.5
(16.7)
−10.1
(13.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 70.4
(2.77)
65.4
(2.57)
95.4
(3.76)
82.5
(3.25)
93.2
(3.67)
207.3
(8.16)
148.0
(5.83)
187.1
(7.37)
118.1
(4.65)
68.4
(2.69)
59.4
(2.34)
50.3
(1.98)
1,245.5
(49.04)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 10.9 10.2 12.9 11.3 11.2 14.5 11.7 12.4 9.8 7.4 9.1 8.3 129.7
Average snowy days 1.8 1.4 0.4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 0.7 4.4
Average relative humidity (%) 74 73 72 71 73 80 78 78 76 73 74 72 75
Mean monthly sunshine hours 114.8 117.9 143.8 168.1 176.8 131.2 209.4 202.3 163.7 162.1 131.1 129.7 1,850.9
Percent possible sunshine 36 37 39 43 41 31 49 50 45 46 42 41 42
Source: China Meteorological Administration[90][91]
Climate data for Nanjing (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1951–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 21.0
(69.8)
27.7
(81.9)
30.3
(86.5)
34.2
(93.6)
37.5
(99.5)
38.1
(100.6)
40.0
(104.0)
40.7
(105.3)
39.0
(102.2)
33.4
(92.1)
29.2
(84.6)
23.1
(73.6)
40.7
(105.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.2
(45.0)
9.5
(49.1)
14.2
(57.6)
20.7
(69.3)
26.2
(79.2)
29.1
(84.4)
32.2
(90.0)
31.7
(89.1)
27.7
(81.9)
22.5
(72.5)
16.2
(61.2)
9.9
(49.8)
20.6
(69.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.7
(36.9)
5.0
(41.0)
9.3
(48.7)
15.6
(60.1)
21.1
(70.0)
24.8
(76.6)
28.1
(82.6)
27.6
(81.7)
23.3
(73.9)
17.6
(63.7)
10.9
(51.6)
4.9
(40.8)
15.9
(60.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.7
(30.7)
1.4
(34.5)
5.3
(41.5)
11.0
(51.8)
16.5
(61.7)
21.0
(69.8)
24.9
(76.8)
24.4
(75.9)
19.9
(67.8)
13.6
(56.5)
6.8
(44.2)
1.1
(34.0)
12.1
(53.8)
Record low °C (°F) −14.0
(6.8)
−13.0
(8.6)
−7.1
(19.2)
−0.2
(31.6)
5.0
(41.0)
11.8
(53.2)
16.8
(62.2)
16.9
(62.4)
7.7
(45.9)
0.2
(32.4)
−6.3
(20.7)
−13.1
(8.4)
−14.0
(6.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 45.2
(1.78)
52.1
(2.05)
80.4
(3.17)
79.9
(3.15)
90.7
(3.57)
162.0
(6.38)
216.3
(8.52)
143.5
(5.65)
75.3
(2.96)
59.5
(2.34)
56.3
(2.22)
29.5
(1.16)
1,090.7
(42.95)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 8.7 9.1 11.8 10.0 9.7 10.6 12.3 11.8 8.1 7.8 7.4 6.2 113.5
Average relative humidity (%) 74 73 72 71 71 76 80 80 78 75 76 73 75
Mean monthly sunshine hours 124.7 120.3 144.7 169.2 194.2 162.8 196.7 201.6 164.0 164.2 147.4 137.1 1,926.9
Source: China Meteorological Administration (precipitation days, sunshine data 1971–2000)[92][93]
Climate data for Hangzhou (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1951–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 25.4
(77.7)
28.5
(83.3)
32.8
(91.0)
34.8
(94.6)
37.6
(99.7)
39.7
(103.5)
41.3
(106.3)
41.6
(106.9)
38.7
(101.7)
35.0
(95.0)
31.2
(88.2)
26.5
(79.7)
41.6
(106.9)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 17.4
(63.3)
21.3
(70.3)
25.7
(78.3)
30.6
(87.1)
33.8
(92.8)
35.3
(95.5)
37.9
(100.2)
37.3
(99.1)
34.4
(93.9)
30.3
(86.5)
25.1
(77.2)
19.5
(67.1)
38.2
(100.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.3
(46.9)
10.3
(50.5)
14.8
(58.6)
21.1
(70.0)
26.3
(79.3)
29.1
(84.4)
33.6
(92.5)
32.8
(91.0)
28.2
(82.8)
23.2
(73.8)
17.3
(63.1)
11.3
(52.3)
21.4
(70.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.6
(40.3)
6.4
(43.5)
10.3
(50.5)
16.2
(61.2)
21.4
(70.5)
24.7
(76.5)
28.9
(84.0)
28.2
(82.8)
24.0
(75.2)
18.8
(65.8)
12.9
(55.2)
7.0
(44.6)
17.0
(62.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.8
(35.2)
3.5
(38.3)
7.0
(44.6)
12.4
(54.3)
17.5
(63.5)
21.4
(70.5)
25.2
(77.4)
24.9
(76.8)
20.9
(69.6)
15.4
(59.7)
9.3
(48.7)
3.7
(38.7)
13.6
(56.4)
Mean minimum °C (°F) −3.9
(25.0)
−2.3
(27.9)
0.8
(33.4)
5.8
(42.4)
12.1
(53.8)
16.9
(62.4)
21.5
(70.7)
21.4
(70.5)
16.0
(60.8)
9.0
(48.2)
2.5
(36.5)
−2.8
(27.0)
−4.6
(23.7)
Record low °C (°F) −8.6
(16.5)
−9.6
(14.7)
−3.5
(25.7)
0.2
(32.4)
7.3
(45.1)
12.8
(55.0)
17.3
(63.1)
18.2
(64.8)
12.0
(53.6)
1.0
(33.8)
−3.6
(25.5)
−8.4
(16.9)
−9.6
(14.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 79.8
(3.14)
86.1
(3.39)
143.7
(5.66)
122.5
(4.82)
128.2
(5.05)
211.8
(8.34)
180.3
(7.10)
156.1
(6.15)
130.1
(5.12)
78.6
(3.09)
72.3
(2.85)
48.6
(1.91)
1,438.1
(56.62)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 12.4 12.1 15.3 14.5 13.8 14.6 12.4 13.8 11.7 9.0 9.3 8.5 147.4
Average relative humidity (%) 75 75 75 74 74 80 76 78 79 76 74 72 76
Mean monthly sunshine hours 102.0 97.2 116.4 140.6 164.7 136.6 212.7 193.0 143.9 144.6 129.0 128.7 1,709.4
Source: China Meteorological Administration (precipitation days and sunshine 1971–2000)[94][95]

South China

Climate data for Hong Kong, normals 1991–2020,[a] extremes 1884–1939 and 1947–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 26.9
(80.4)
28.3
(82.9)
30.1
(86.2)
33.4
(92.1)
36.1
(97.0)
35.6
(96.1)
35.7
(96.3)
36.6
(97.9)
35.2
(95.4)
34.3
(93.7)
31.8
(89.2)
28.7
(83.7)
36.6
(97.9)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 24.0
(75.2)
25.1
(77.2)
27.5
(81.5)
30.2
(86.4)
32.3
(90.1)
33.6
(92.5)
34.1
(93.4)
34.2
(93.6)
33.4
(92.1)
31.3
(88.3)
28.4
(83.1)
25.1
(77.2)
34.7
(94.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 18.7
(65.7)
19.4
(66.9)
21.9
(71.4)
25.6
(78.1)
28.8
(83.8)
30.7
(87.3)
31.6
(88.9)
31.3
(88.3)
30.5
(86.9)
28.1
(82.6)
24.5
(76.1)
20.4
(68.7)
26.0
(78.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 16.5
(61.7)
17.1
(62.8)
19.5
(67.1)
23.0
(73.4)
26.3
(79.3)
28.3
(82.9)
28.9
(84.0)
28.7
(83.7)
27.9
(82.2)
25.7
(78.3)
22.2
(72.0)
18.2
(64.8)
23.5
(74.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 14.6
(58.3)
15.3
(59.5)
17.6
(63.7)
21.1
(70.0)
24.5
(76.1)
26.5
(79.7)
26.9
(80.4)
26.7
(80.1)
26.1
(79.0)
23.9
(75.0)
20.3
(68.5)
16.2
(61.2)
21.6
(70.9)
Mean minimum °C (°F) 9.1
(48.4)
10.2
(50.4)
12.2
(54.0)
16.3
(61.3)
20.7
(69.3)
23.6
(74.5)
24.2
(75.6)
24.3
(75.7)
23.5
(74.3)
20.1
(68.2)
15.3
(59.5)
10.1
(50.2)
7.8
(46.0)
Record low °C (°F) 0.0
(32.0)
2.4
(36.3)
4.8
(40.6)
9.9
(49.8)
15.4
(59.7)
19.2
(66.6)
21.7
(71.1)
21.6
(70.9)
18.4
(65.1)
13.5
(56.3)
6.5
(43.7)
4.3
(39.7)
0.0
(32.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 33.2
(1.31)
38.9
(1.53)
75.3
(2.96)
153.0
(6.02)
290.6
(11.44)
491.5
(19.35)
385.8
(15.19)
453.2
(17.84)
321.4
(12.65)
120.3
(4.74)
39.3
(1.55)
28.8
(1.13)
2,431.2
(95.72)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 5.70 7.97 10.50 11.37 15.37 19.33 18.43 17.50 14.90 7.83 5.70 5.30 139.90
Average relative humidity (%) 74 79 82 83 83 82 81 81 78 73 72 70 78
Mean monthly sunshine hours 145.8 101.7 100.0 113.2 138.8 144.3 197.3 182.1 174.4 197.8 172.3 161.6 1,829.3
Percent possible sunshine 43 32 27 30 34 36 48 46 47 55 52 48 41
Source: Hong Kong Observatory[96][97][98]
Climate data for Guangzhou (normals 1971–2000, extremes 1961–2000)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 27.2
(81.0)
28.6
(83.5)
32.1
(89.8)
32.4
(90.3)
36.2
(97.2)
36.6
(97.9)
39.1
(102.4)
38.0
(100.4)
37.6
(99.7)
34.8
(94.6)
32.5
(90.5)
29.6
(85.3)
39.1
(102.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 18.3
(64.9)
18.5
(65.3)
21.6
(70.9)
25.7
(78.3)
29.3
(84.7)
31.5
(88.7)
32.8
(91.0)
32.7
(90.9)
31.5
(88.7)
28.8
(83.8)
24.5
(76.1)
20.6
(69.1)
26.3
(79.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 13.9
(57.0)
15.2
(59.4)
18.1
(64.6)
22.4
(72.3)
25.8
(78.4)
27.8
(82.0)
28.9
(84.0)
28.8
(83.8)
27.5
(81.5)
24.7
(76.5)
20.1
(68.2)
15.5
(59.9)
22.4
(72.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 10.3
(50.5)
11.7
(53.1)
15.2
(59.4)
19.5
(67.1)
22.7
(72.9)
24.8
(76.6)
25.5
(77.9)
25.4
(77.7)
24.0
(75.2)
20.8
(69.4)
15.9
(60.6)
11.5
(52.7)
18.9
(66.1)
Record low °C (°F) 0.1
(32.2)
1.3
(34.3)
3.2
(37.8)
7.7
(45.9)
14.6
(58.3)
18.8
(65.8)
21.6
(70.9)
20.9
(69.6)
15.5
(59.9)
9.5
(49.1)
4.9
(40.8)
0.0
(32.0)
0.0
(32.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 40.9
(1.61)
69.4
(2.73)
84.7
(3.33)
201.2
(7.92)
283.7
(11.17)
276.2
(10.87)
232.5
(9.15)
227.0
(8.94)
166.2
(6.54)
87.3
(3.44)
35.4
(1.39)
31.6
(1.24)
1,736.1
(68.33)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 7.5 11.2 15.0 16.3 18.3 18.2 15.9 16.8 12.5 7.1 5.5 4.9 149.2
Average relative humidity (%) 72 78 82 84 84 84 82 82 78 72 66 66 78
Mean monthly sunshine hours 118.5 71.6 62.4 65.1 104.0 140.2 202.0 173.5 170.2 181.8 172.7 166.0 1,628
Percent possible sunshine 35 22 17 17 26 35 49 43 46 51 52 50 37
Source: China Meteorological Administration,[99] all-time extreme temperature[100]
Climate data for Haikou (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1951–2015)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 33.5
(92.3)
37.2
(99.0)
38.1
(100.6)
39.6
(103.3)
38.8
(101.8)
38.4
(101.1)
38.7
(101.7)
37.3
(99.1)
36.0
(96.8)
34.5
(94.1)
34.7
(94.5)
31.5
(88.7)
39.6
(103.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 21.8
(71.2)
22.9
(73.2)
26.3
(79.3)
30.7
(87.3)
32.3
(90.1)
33.7
(92.7)
33.5
(92.3)
32.6
(90.7)
30.7
(87.3)
29.1
(84.4)
26.2
(79.2)
22.4
(72.3)
28.5
(83.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 18.4
(65.1)
19.4
(66.9)
22.2
(72.0)
26.0
(78.8)
27.9
(82.2)
29.0
(84.2)
29.1
(84.4)
28.6
(83.5)
27.4
(81.3)
26.0
(78.8)
23.3
(73.9)
19.8
(67.6)
24.8
(76.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0)
17.2
(63.0)
19.6
(67.3)
23.2
(73.8)
25.1
(77.2)
25.9
(78.6)
26.0
(78.8)
25.9
(78.6)
25.0
(77.0)
23.7
(74.7)
21.0
(69.8)
17.8
(64.0)
22.2
(72.0)
Record low °C (°F) 2.8
(37.0)
6.5
(43.7)
6.4
(43.5)
9.8
(49.6)
16.3
(61.3)
21.2
(70.2)
21.0
(69.8)
21.7
(71.1)
17.5
(63.5)
14.1
(57.4)
10.0
(50.0)
5.3
(41.5)
2.8
(37.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 20.3
(0.80)
38.2
(1.50)
50.4
(1.98)
90.1
(3.55)
175.6
(6.91)
220.5
(8.68)
214.7
(8.45)
262.1
(10.32)
255.8
(10.07)
221.9
(8.74)
72.4
(2.85)
34.3
(1.35)
1,656.3
(65.2)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 8.4 10.6 10.1 11.5 16.5 16.0 15.0 14.9 14.3 12.5 7.9 7.3 145.0
Average relative humidity (%) 85 87 85 82 81 81 80 82 83 79 79 80 82
Mean monthly sunshine hours 109.1 98.7 137.3 167.9 218.1 222.8 251.3 217.7 193.8 176.7 144.8 131.3 2,069.5
Percent possible sunshine 32 31 37 45 54 56 61 55 53 49 43 39 47
Source: China Meteorological Administration (precipitation days and sunshine 1971–2000),[8][101][102] all-time extreme temperature[103]

Climate change

Warming stripes of China between 1901 and 2019

Climate change is having major effects on the Chinese economy, society and the environment.[104][105] China is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide, through an energy infrastructure heavily focused on coal. Other industries, such as a burgeoning construction industry and industrial manufacturing, contribute heavily to carbon emissions. However, like other developing countries, on a per-capita basis, China's carbon emissions are considerably less than countries like the United States.[106] It has also been noted that higher-income countries have outsourced emissions-intensive industries to China.[107][108] On the basis of cumulative CO2 emissions measured from 1751 through to 2017, China is responsible for 13% globally and about half of the United States' cumulative emissions.[109][110] China is now the world's largest polluter and in 2023 recorded it's hottest year on record with an average temperature of 10.7 C.[111]

China is suffering from the negative effects of global warming in agriculture, forestry and water resources, and is expected to continue to see increased impacts. China's government is taking some measures to increase renewable energy, and other decarbonization efforts, vowing to hit peak emissions before 2030 and be carbon neutral by 2060 by adopting "more vigorous policies and measures."[112] The GHG emissions of China will probably peak in 2025, and by 2030 they will return to 2022 levels. However, such pathway still leads to 3 degree temperature rise.[113]

Gallery

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data in Hong Kong from 1991 to 2020.

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