Geography of Shanghai - Climate

Climate

Shanghai
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
51 8 1 57 9 2 99 13 6 89 19 11 102 24 16 170 28 21 156 32 25 158 31 25 137 27 21 63 23 15 46 17 9 37 11 3
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: CMA
Imperial conversion
J F M A M J J A S O N D
2 47 34 2.2 49 36 3.9 55 42 3.5 66 52 4 75 61 6.7 82 69 6.2 89 77 6.2 88 77 5.4 81 69 2.5 73 59 1.8 63 48 1.5 52 37
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches

Shanghai has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) and experiences four distinct seasons. In winter, cold northerly winds from Siberia can cause nighttime temperatures to drop below freezing, and although not usually associated with snow, the city can receive one or two days of snowfall per year. In contrast, and in spite of being the peak tourist season, summer in Shanghai is very warm and humid, with occasional downpours or freak thunderstorms. The city is also susceptible to typhoons, none of which in recent years has caused considerable damage. The most pleasant seasons are Spring, although changeable, and Autumn, which is generally sunny and dry.

Climate statistics of 2006:

  • Average annual temperature: 18.4 °C (65.1 °F)
  • Highest recorded air temperature: 38.6 °C (101.5 °F)
  • Lowest recorded air temperature: −3.5 °C (25.7 °F)
  • Annual hours of sunshine: 1,638.2
  • Annual days of sunshine: 73
  • Evaporation: 862.1 mm (33.9 in)
  • Precipitation: 1,042.6 mm (41.0 in)
  • Annual rainy days: 129
  • Frost-free period: 333 days


Climate data for Shanghai (1971–2000)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 8.1
(46.6)
9.2
(48.6)
12.8
(55.0)
19.1
(66.4)
24.1
(75.4)
27.6
(81.7)
31.8
(89.2)
31.3
(88.3)
27.2
(81.0)
22.6
(72.7)
17.0
(62.6)
11.1
(52.0)
20.2
(68.4)
Average low °C (°F) 1.1
(34.0)
2.2
(36.0)
5.6
(42.1)
10.9
(51.6)
16.1
(61.0)
20.8
(69.4)
25.0
(77.0)
24.9
(76.8)
20.6
(69.1)
15.1
(59.2)
9.0
(48.2)
3.0
(37.4)
12.9
(55.2)
Precipitation mm (inches) 50.6
(1.992)
56.8
(2.236)
98.8
(3.89)
89.3
(3.516)
102.3
(4.028)
169.6
(6.677)
156.3
(6.154)
157.9
(6.217)
137.3
(5.406)
62.5
(2.461)
46.2
(1.819)
37.1
(1.461)
1,164.7
(45.854)
% humidity 75 74 76 76 76 82 82 81 78 75 74 73 76.8
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 9.7 10.3 13.9 12.7 12.1 14.4 12.0 11.3 11.0 8.1 7.0 6.5 129.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 123.0 115.7 126.0 156.1 173.5 147.6 217.8 220.8 158.9 160.8 146.6 147.7 1,894.5
Source: China Meteorological Administration

Read more about this topic:  Geography Of Shanghai

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