Best Time to Visit Shanghai
China · Humid Subtropical climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit Shanghai is:
September → May → June
September scores 57/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 10 | 20 | 0 | 0 | |
| March | 21 | 42 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 31 | 62 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 44 | 88 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 46 | 92 | 0 | 0 | |
| July | 36 | 73 | 0 | 0 | |
| August | 34 | 69 | 0 | 0 | |
| September | 45 | 90 | 0 | 0 | |
| October | 40 | 80 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 28 | 56 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 18 | 16 | 34 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.5°C (41.9°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| February | 7.0°C (44.6°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
| March | 11.4°C (52.5°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| April | 15.5°C (59.9°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| May | 20.5°C (68.9°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| June | 24.6°C (76.3°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| July | 28.4°C (83.1°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| August | 29.2°C (84.6°F) | Hot (25-29°C) |
| September | 24.9°C (76.8°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| October | 19.1°C (66.4°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| November | 14.1°C (57.4°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| December | 6.3°C (43.3°F) | Cool (0-9°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 69.6 mm | 11.4 | Wet |
| February | 76.1 mm | 13.0 | Wet |
| March | 99.4 mm | 16.0 | Wet |
| April | 102.9 mm | 14.0 | Very Wet |
| May | 109.7 mm | 15.0 | Very Wet |
| June | 246.9 mm | 21.0 | Very Wet |
| July | 283.3 mm | 22.2 | Very Wet |
| August | 117.0 mm | 20.8 | Very Wet |
| September | 187.3 mm | 17.8 | Very Wet |
| October | 65.0 mm | 12.0 | Wet |
| November | 78.2 mm | 10.2 | Wet |
| December | 22.1 mm | 7.4 | Dry |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6.1 hrs | Good |
| February | 5.5 hrs | Moderate |
| March | 6.8 hrs | Good |
| April | 7.6 hrs | Good |
| May | 8.1 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 6.7 hrs | Good |
| July | 8.5 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 10.4 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 8.2 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 7.3 hrs | Good |
| November | 6.9 hrs | Good |
| December | 7.0 hrs | Good |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 15.8°C (60.4°F)
Rainfall: 104.0mm avg
Sunshine: 7.5 hrs/day
Humidity: 76.1%
Rainy Days: 15.0/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 27.4°C (81.3°F)
Rainfall: 215.7mm avg
Sunshine: 8.5 hrs/day
Humidity: 80.6%
Rainy Days: 21.3/mo
This is the warm season. Ideal for outdoor activities but be prepared for heat.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 19.4°C (66.9°F)
Rainfall: 110.2mm avg
Sunshine: 7.5 hrs/day
Humidity: 77.9%
Rainy Days: 13.3/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 6.3°C (43.3°F)
Rainfall: 55.9mm avg
Sunshine: 6.2 hrs/day
Humidity: 75.6%
Rainy Days: 10.6/mo
This is the cool season. Pack warm layers and plan indoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Shanghai?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit Shanghai are September, May, June, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. September scores 57/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in Shanghai?
August is the hottest month with an average temperature of 29.2°C (84.6°F).
What is the coldest month in Shanghai?
January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 5.5°C (41.9°F).
When is the rainy season in Shanghai?
July is the wettest month with an average of 283.3mm of precipitation. Shanghai experiences about 181.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is December with 22.1mm.
What should I pack for a trip to Shanghai?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (August is hottest at 29.2°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (January averages 5.5°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as Shanghai receives 1458.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
Shanghai taught me that 'shoulder season' is everything here. I arrived in early June thinking it was safe — landed straight into plum rain season, three solid weeks of 28°C and 95% humidity. Pack quick-dry everything June mid-July. The real sweet spots are April-May (20°C, low rain) and October (22°C, clear skies). Skip August — typhoon season plus 33°C plus 85% humidity is brutal. Winters (December-February) are damp and cold in a way the thermometer doesn't capture; 4°C feels like -2°C with the wet chill. Bring a down jacket.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: 31.23°, 121.47°. Timezone: Asia/Shanghai. Last updated: 2026-07-30.