Shanghai climate
China
Shanghai climate can look simple on averages, but travel comfort is often driven by humidity, wind, and rain.
In Shanghai, seasonality tends to show up in mornings/evenings and indoor-outdoor gaps more than in a single number.
Humidity often drives fatigue more than temperature.
Climate facts
Jan · Feb
Avg low 1-3°C / high 7-10°C · Rainy days: 8-10 per month / rainfall 40-60 mm
Mar · Apr · May
Avg low 7-15°C / high 13-23°C · Rainy days: 8-11 per month / rainfall 60-90 mm
Sep · Oct
Avg low 17-21°C / high 25-28°C · Rainy days: 6-8 per month / rainfall 45-80 mm
Nov · Dec
Avg low 5-10°C / high 12-17°C · Rainy days: 7-9 per month / rainfall 40-70 mm
How it tends to feel for travel
For travel, what you remember is often variability (rain patterns, humidity, daily swings), not the average.
When it tends to fit
- • Once you see the year-round pattern, it’s easier to judge whether a month fits your style.
- • If you revisit the city, separating “seasonal itineraries” can save a lot of planning time.
- • In humidity- or rain-driven cities, adjusting the indoor/outdoor ratio can change comfort a lot.
When it may not fit
- • If you rely only on averages, you may be surprised by variability (squalls, wind, indoor AC).
- • In monsoon-like periods, the more your itinerary depends on outdoor walking, the higher the risk.
- • If you’re fine with cold but hate damp chill, it can feel colder than you expect.
Outfit notes
This connects climate patterns to packing—without over-interpreting.
- • 🌡️ 5-10℃ (winter/Nov-Feb): Temperatures are above freezing but damp cold makes it feel below zero. A padded jacket or thick wool coat + knit + thermal inner + scarf and gloves are essential.
- • 🌡️ 10-18℃ (early spring/late autumn): Trench or light coat + sweatshirt or shirt is a safe combo. Strong evening winds can make it feel much colder.
- • 🌡️ 18-25℃ (spring/autumn peak): Long sleeves with a thin cardigan or windbreaker are enough. Days are warm and evenings are cool, so layering is comfortable.
It looks simple on paper, but the day-to-day texture can vary.
Explore Shanghai
These pages are connected so you can compare conditions and decide for yourself.