Beijing, China Climate & Monthly Averages

China 🇨🇳 · humid continental climate
Annual avg
55°
Hottest month
July
Coldest month
January
Rainy days / yr
58
Sunshine
8.9 h/day
Right now: 72° and smoky haze - see live conditions

The climate of Beijing

Beijing's year is organised around rain rather than temperature. 72% of its 24.7 inches (628 mm) annual total arrives in the July to September window, while January averages 2 mm (0.1 in). Temperatures move far less: 89°F (32°C) at the year's warmest against 36°F (2°C) at its coolest.

Climate quick facts

  • Hottest month: July - highs near 89°F (32°C)
  • Coldest month: January - highs near 36°F (2°C)
  • Decade extremes (2015-2024): 107°F (42°C) high · -4°F (-20°C) low
  • Wettest month: July (14 rainy days) · Sunniest: June (10.3 h sun/day)
  • Climate type: humid continental
  • Annual swing: 30°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 11°C
  • Snow: about 3 days a year
  • Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 3
  • Average humidity: 52%

Temperatures through the year

January is the coolest month, with highs of 36°F (2°C) and lows near 20°F (-7°C). July is the warm end of the year, averaging 89°F (32°C) by day and 73°F (23°C) overnight. June is the brightest month at 10.3 hours of sun a day, against an annual average of 8.9.

Rain, sun and snow

Between the average July and the average January lie 30°C, a wider spread than 97% of the 3496 cities in our dataset. Average highs hold at or above 30°C for 3 months of the year, June through August being the unbroken run. Overnight lows average at or below freezing for 3 months, December through February. Relative humidity averages 52% across the year, drier than all but 8% of the 3496 cities in our dataset. Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 107°F (42°C) and the lowest daily minimum -4°F (-20°C).

How Beijing compares

  • 72% of the year's precipitation falls in its wettest three months - more seasonal than 97% of the 3496 cities we track.
  • Rain or snow reaches the ground on 58 days a year - fewer wet days than all but 11% of the 3496 cities we track.

Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.

Monthly climate table

Monthly averages for Beijing based on 2015–2024 weather data.
MonthHighLow Rain daysPrecipitation SunshineHumidity
January 36° 20° 0 0.1 in 8.2 h/day 39%
February 43° 23° 2 0.3 in 8.7 h/day 42%
March 59° 33° 3 0.4 in 9.8 h/day 42%
April 72° 47° 3 0.8 in 9.7 h/day 39%
May 83° 58° 5 1.1 in 10.1 h/day 42%
June 91° 68° 6 2.2 in 10.3 h/day 49%
July 89° 73° 14 9.2 in 8.8 h/day 71%
August 86° 70° 12 6.3 in 9.2 h/day 75%
September 80° 61° 6 2.3 in 9.1 h/day 65%
October 65° 46° 4 1.2 in 7.9 h/day 59%
November 49° 32° 3 0.8 in 7.3 h/day 57%
December 37° 21° 1 0.1 in 7.9 h/day 43%

Beijing month by month

Beijing weather in January

January brings highs around 36°F (2°C), lows near 20°F (-7°C), about 0 wet days - typically the coldest month and the driest month of the year in Beijing.

Beijing weather in February

February brings highs around 43°F (6°C), lows near 23°F (-5°C), about 2 wet days and roughly 1 snowy days.

Beijing weather in March

March brings highs around 59°F (15°C), lows near 33°F (1°C), about 3 wet days.

Beijing weather in April

April brings highs around 72°F (22°C), lows near 47°F (8°C), about 3 wet days.

Beijing weather in May

May brings highs around 83°F (28°C), lows near 58°F (14°C), about 5 wet days.

Beijing weather in June

June brings highs around 91°F (33°C), lows near 68°F (20°C), about 6 wet days - typically the sunniest month of the year in Beijing.

Beijing weather in July

July brings highs around 89°F (32°C), lows near 73°F (23°C), about 14 wet days - typically the hottest month and the wettest month of the year in Beijing.

Beijing weather in August

August brings highs around 86°F (30°C), lows near 70°F (21°C), about 12 wet days.

Beijing weather in September

September brings highs around 80°F (27°C), lows near 61°F (16°C), about 6 wet days.

Beijing weather in October

October brings highs around 65°F (19°C), lows near 46°F (8°C), about 4 wet days.

Beijing weather in November

November brings highs around 49°F (10°C), lows near 32°F (0°C), about 3 wet days and roughly 1 snowy days.

Beijing weather in December

December brings highs around 37°F (3°C), lows near 21°F (-6°C), about 1 wet days.

Seasons in Beijing

Spring (March through May)

Spring settles into easy warmth here - highs near 71°F (22°C), nights near 46°F (8°C), and rain comes on about 11 days over the three months.

Summer (June through August)

Summer in Beijing is hot, with daytime highs averaging 89°F (31°C) and nights around 70°F (21°C); rain falls on around 32 of the 90 days.

Fall (September through November)

Fall in Beijing is crisp but comfortable, with daytime highs averaging 65°F (18°C) and nights around 46°F (8°C); rain comes on about 13 days over the three months.

Winter (December through February)

Through winter, Beijing runs to hard cold: 39°F (4°C) by day, 21°F (-6°C) after dark, and precipitation is sparse, near 12 mm (0.5 in) for the season. Wind sharpens cold like this considerably; pair the forecast winds with the wind speed converter to judge exposed conditions.

Climate questions, answered

When is monsoon season in Beijing?
72% of the annual rainfall lands in the wettest three months, peaking in July. The dry end of the year sits around January, which averages 2 mm (0.1 in).
How cold does Beijing get in winter?
January nights average 20°F (-7°C). Frost and occasional ice are part of the season.
How often does it rain in Beijing?
About 58 days bring measurable precipitation, totalling 24.7 inches (628 mm). That works out at roughly 10.8 mm on an average wet day.
How warm is Beijing on average?
55°F (13°C) across all twelve months - about 66°F (19°C) by day and 46°F (8°C) after dark.
What should I pack for Beijing?
It depends on the month: July runs to 89°F (32°C) while January holds at 36°F (2°C). The full month-by-month breakdown is in the packing notes above.
How humid does Beijing get?
Relative humidity averages 52% across the year, which reads as dry. The most comfortable stretch falls in the drier half of the year.

Best time to visit Beijing

The best time to visit Beijing is generally March to May and September to October, when the rains have stopped and the heat has not yet peaked. Daytime temperatures in that window sit near 72°F (22°C), with rain on about 4 days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in March.

Pack for Beijing with light clothing for the warm months, a heavy insulated coat, hat and gloves for winter and rain gear if you travel around July. Note the gap between afternoon and night: July pairs 89°F (32°C) with 73°F (23°C).

Beijing temperature records (2015-2024)

Highest recorded
107°
in July
Lowest recorded
-4°
in January
Annual precipitation
24.7"
Snowy days / yr
3

Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.