Shanghai belongs to subtropical monsoon climate, with distinctive four seasons, abundant sunshine and rainfall. The climate is mild and humid, with short spring and autumn, long winter and summer.
The city averages 4.2 °C in January and 27.9 °C in July, for an annual mean of 16.1 °C. Shanghai experiences on average 1,878 hours of sunshine per year, with the hottest temperature ever recorded at 40.2 °C, and the lowest at −12.1 °C. The average frost-free period is 276 days.
Most rain falls in Shanghai between April and September in three periods: Spring rain, plum rain, and Autumn rain. The plum rain season is named after the fruit that ripens with its arrival in middle June and early July. When typhoon season comes to Shanghai, it usually lasts from June to October and the storms bring strong winds, heavy rains and storm surges, which sometimes cause flooding in Shanghai downtown areas.
Shanghgai Weather by season
Spring in Shanghai: Spring is warm and pleasant. So it is very suitable for a trip or traveling.
Summer in Shanghai: it is very hot and humid, with July and August having the highest temperatures. Typhoons and sudden heavy rains frequently assail this city during Summer. When traveling in Summer, please prepare umbrellas, which can be used to protect against rain, as well as the strong sunshine on sunny days.
Autumn in Shanghai: It is one of the best times for visiting Shanghai. The weather is generally sunny and dry. This is also the best time for eating crabs in Shanghai. From late August till early September, weather in Shanghai is frequently influenced by typhoons and rainstorms, but they rarely cause substantial damage. When traveling in Shanghai during these periods, please prepare umbrellas or raincoats.
Winter in Shanghai: It is characterized by bitingly cold north wind and heavy humidity. Nighttime temperatures often drop well below zero, but it rarely snows. The coldest period is from late January till early February, usually during the Chinese Spring Festival.
The most pleasant seasons are Spring, although changeable and often rainy, and Autumn, which is generally sunny and dry.
Best time to visit Shanghai
Shanghai is suitable for traveling all year around. If you must ask for the best time, it would be from March to May in spring & September to October in autumn. In spring, plum flower in Qingpu, canola flower in Fengxian, peach flower in Pudong blooms, truly beautiful. In autumn, not only the weather is cool with less rain, buy also it is the best season to taste crabs in Shanghai.
June-July is the beginning of the rainy season, there are a lot of rainy days; by the end of August - early September is typhoon season, sudden storm often happens. An umbrella is necessary. It is worth noting that the people of Shanghai Family Qingming go around the grave of the season, the traffic around the city will be very tight...More
Dressing Tips
In July and August, temperature is relatively high in Shanghai. A T-shirt and short trousers is enough. January and February is the coldest month, down jacket and thick sweaters are needed to keep warm. In other season, thin coat would be enough.
Try to Avoid domestic tourism seasons
Try to plan your Shanghai tour to avoid the peak holidays. Because they are popular with Chinese tourists, Shanghai attractions become more crowded in these periods.
The most crowded seasons in China are Chinese Spring Festival (usually in late Jan or early Feb.), International Labor Day (May 01 to 03) and National Day (Oct 01-07). Spring Festival and the National Day golden week are the most crowded time for travelling.