Shanghai Weather
A month-by-month look at temperature, rainfall and what to pack in Shanghai. The annual average is 21°C high / 13°C low — hottest in July (peak summer · brutal humidity) (33°C) and coldest in January (cool dry · cheap) (1°C).
Shanghai Weather at a Glance
As of 2026A quick summary of Shanghai's year-round climate and the best time to visit.
- Annual average
- 21° / 13°
- Best time to visit
- April (peak spring · best month), October (peak autumn · second-best month), May (late spring · still ideal)
- Hottest month
- July (peak summer · brutal humidity) (33°C)
- Coldest month
- January (cool dry · cheap) (1°C)
- Wettest month
- June (Plum Rain · humid) (175mm)
- Driest month
- January (cool dry · cheap) (45mm)
As of 2026, Shanghai's weather averages 21°C high / 13°C low across the year, and the best time to visit for stable temperatures, rainfall and crowds is April (peak spring · best month), October (peak autumn · second-best month), May (late spring · still ideal). The hottest month is July (peak summer · brutal humidity) (33°C), the coldest is January (cool dry · cheap) (1°C), and the wettest is June (Plum Rain · humid) (175mm).
Best Time to Visit Shanghai
Shanghai's first ideal month — 11/19°C, peak spring greenery, Tongji University cherry blossoms early April. Hotels at high-season rates. Book Shanghai Tower + Disney + Suzhou trains 2-3 weeks ahead. The canonical Shanghai spring photography month.
Shanghai's best month after April — 16/23°C, low rainfall, golden ginkgo trees on Yan'an Road. **Avoid October 1-7 (Golden Week)** — domestic crowds triple + hotels spike 1.5-2x. Best Oct 8-31 — clear weather + hairy crab peak.
Last ideal Shanghai month before summer heat — 16/24°C, warm comfortable. Hotels at peak rates. Labor Day Golden Week (May 1-5) brings huge domestic crowds at Bund + Disney + Suzhou trains. Avoid May 1-5 if possible.
Shanghai Weather Month by Month
Tap any month for a detailed guide with what to wear, sunrise/sunset and air quality.
| Month | High/Low | Rain | Rainy days | Crowds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (cool dry · cheap) | 8° / 1° | 45mm | 8 | Quiet | Details → |
| February (late winter · Chinese New Year) | 10° / 2° | 60mm | 9 | Moderate | Details → |
| March (spring + cherry blossoms) | 14° / 6° | 80mm | 12 | Moderate | Details → |
| April (peak spring · best month) | 19° / 11° | 95mm | 13 | Busy | Details → |
| May (late spring · still ideal) | 24° / 16° | 105mm | 14 | Busy | Details → |
| June (Plum Rain · humid) | 28° / 21° | 175mm | 16 | Moderate | Details → |
| July (peak summer · brutal humidity) | 33° / 25° | 130mm | 11 | Quiet | Details → |
| August (peak summer · typhoons) | 32° / 25° | 145mm | 11 | Quiet | Details → |
| September (heat easing + Mid-Autumn) | 28° / 21° | 95mm | 11 | Moderate | Details → |
| October (peak autumn · second-best month) | 23° / 16° | 50mm | 8 | Very busy | Details → |
| November (autumn shoulder · ideal) | 17° / 10° | 55mm | 8 | Busy | Details → |
| December (cool dry · holiday season) | 11° / 4° | 50mm | 8 | Moderate | Details → |
What to Wear in Shanghai by Season
T-shirts + light cardigan/jacket. Comfortable walking clothes.
Lightest fabrics + sun hat + SPF 50+ essential. Quick-dry clothes.
T-shirts + light jacket. Long pants + scarf for evenings.
Winter coat + layers. Days warming slightly.
Shanghai Weather FAQ
What is the best time to visit Shanghai? +
For weather, April (peak spring · best month), October (peak autumn · second-best month), May (late spring · still ideal) are the most comfortable months. Highs sit around 19°C with relatively stable rainfall and crowds.
What are the hottest and coldest months in Shanghai? +
The hottest month is July (peak summer · brutal humidity) with an average high of 33°C, and the coldest is January (cool dry · cheap) with an average low of 1°C. The annual average is 21°C high / 13°C low.
When does it rain most in Shanghai? +
The wettest month is June (Plum Rain · humid) (175mm over about 16 rainy days) and the driest is January (cool dry · cheap) (45mm). Total annual rainfall is roughly 1085mm.
What should I pack for Shanghai? +
Spring (Mar–May) averages 19/11°C — T-shirts + light cardigan/jacket. Comfortable walking clothes. Summer (Jun–Aug) averages 31/24°C — Lightest fabrics + sun hat + SPF 50+ essential. Quick-dry clothes. Autumn (Sep–Nov) averages 23/16°C — T-shirts + light jacket. Long pants + scarf for evenings. Winter (Dec–Feb) averages 10/2°C — Winter coat + layers. Days warming slightly.
What is the weather in Shanghai this month (June (Plum Rain · humid))? +
June (Plum Rain · humid) averages 28°C high / 21°C low with 175mm rainfall over about 16 rainy days. Crowds are moderate and prices are moderate.
Keep Planning Your Shanghai Trip
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.