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Best time to visit · China
For the most comfortable weather in Shanghai, aim for April and October & November. November tops our comfort score at 86/100, with highs around 63°F (17°C) and 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain. March, May, September and December are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are June – August, mainly because of cloud cover.
Highs run from 46°F to 89°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 50.6 in (1286 mm) of rain.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high | 46°F8°C | 50°F10°C | 58°F14°C | 68°F20°C | 77°F25°C | 82°F28°C | 89°F32°C | 89°F31°C | 82°F28°C | 73°F23°C | 63°F17°C | 51°F11°C |
| Avg low | 33°F1°C | 36°F2°C | 42°F5°C | 51°F11°C | 61°F16°C | 69°F21°C | 77°F25°C | 78°F25°C | 70°F21°C | 60°F15°C | 49°F10°C | 37°F3°C |
| Rain | 2.6 in67 mm | 3.1 in78 mm | 3.5 in88 mm | 3.7 in95 mm | 4.1 in104 mm | 7.7 in195 mm | 5.8 in148 mm | 6.8 in173 mm | 5.4 in137 mm | 3.0 in77 mm | 2.8 in71 mm | 2.1 in53 mm |
| Humidity | 79% | 80% | 78% | 77% | 77% | 81% | 81% | 80% | 78% | 76% | 77% | 77% |
| Cloud | 65% | 67% | 64% | 65% | 70% | 79% | 70% | 61% | 63% | 58% | 57% | 55% |
| Comfort | 55 | 59 | 72 | 82 | 74 | 53 | 47 | 49 | 68 | 82 | 86 | 68 |
Source: NASA POWER (public domain), 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km satellite and reanalysis grid, so coasts and valleys can differ from what's shown. The grid cell sits at about 4 m (13 ft), close to Shanghai's own ~14 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.
The coldest season, with highs of 46–51°F (8–11°C) and lows down to 33°F (1°C). It's the driest season, with only about 7.8 in (198 mm) of rain, 15% of the year's total. December score well without being the very best (season average 61/100).
Temperatures climb through the season, from 58°F highs in March to 77°F by May. About 11.3 in (287 mm) of rain falls across these months, 22% of the year's total. May feels humid, with humidity near 77%. Comfort peaks here: April ranks with the year's best, and the season averages 76/100.
The warmest stretch of the year, with highs of 82–89°F (28–32°C). It's the wettest season, with about 20.3 in (516 mm) of rain, 40% of the year's total. June – August feel humid, with humidity near 81%. Comfort scores bottom out in June – August; the season averages 50/100.
Temperatures slide from 82°F highs in September to 63°F by November. About 11.2 in (285 mm) of rain falls across these months, 22% of the year's total. September feels humid, with humidity near 78%. Comfort peaks here: October & November rank with the year's best, and the season averages 79/100.
By comfort score: 3 Great, 4 Good and 5 Fair. Great months: April and October & November. Tap a month for its own guide.
For the most comfortable weather in Shanghai, aim for April and October & November. November tops our comfort score at 86/100, with highs around 63°F (17°C) and 2.8 in (71 mm) of rain. March, May, September and December are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are June – August, mainly because of cloud cover.
June is the wettest month, averaging about 7.7 in (195 mm) of rain. December is the driest, with about 2.1 in (53 mm). The yearly total is around 50.6 in (1286 mm).
January is the coldest, with average lows of 33°F (1°C) and highs of 46°F (8°C). The warmest is July, with average highs of 89°F (32°C).
Yes: in June – August humidity averages 81% with warm temperatures, so it feels muggy. Summer highs peak around 89°F (32°C).
Not on average: even in January, the coldest month, lows average 33°F (1°C). Individual cold snaps can still dip lower.
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