Beijing, China Climate & Monthly Averages
Beijing has a humid continental climate. July is the hottest month, averaging 89° by day; January is the coldest at 36°.
To understand Beijing, start with the wet season
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.
Where the rain falls in the calendar
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.
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).
More climate facts for Beijing
- 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%
Follow the rain through Beijing's year
Each card shows the average high and low. The bar places that month between Beijing's coldest night and warmest afternoon.
January
- Rain
- 0 days
- Sunshine
- 8.2 h
- Daylight
- 9.6 h
February
- Rain
- 2 days
- Sunshine
- 8.7 h
- Daylight
- 10.6 h
- Snow
- 1 day
March
- Rain
- 3 days
- Sunshine
- 9.8 h
- Daylight
- 11.8 h
April
- Rain
- 3 days
- Sunshine
- 9.7 h
- Daylight
- 13.2 h
May
- Rain
- 5 days
- Sunshine
- 10.1 h
- Daylight
- 14.4 h
June
- Rain
- 6 days
- Sunshine
- 10.3 h
- Daylight
- 15.0 h
July
- Rain
- 14 days
- Sunshine
- 8.8 h
- Daylight
- 14.7 h
August
- Rain
- 12 days
- Sunshine
- 9.2 h
- Daylight
- 13.7 h
September
- Rain
- 6 days
- Sunshine
- 9.1 h
- Daylight
- 12.4 h
October
- Rain
- 4 days
- Sunshine
- 7.9 h
- Daylight
- 11.1 h
November
- Rain
- 3 days
- Sunshine
- 7.3 h
- Daylight
- 9.9 h
- Snow
- 1 day
December
- Rain
- 1 day
- Sunshine
- 7.9 h
- Daylight
- 9.3 h
Looking for warmer alternatives? Browse warm places by month, or compare Beijing's coolest part of the year: January, December, February.
Working around Beijing's rain pattern
Choose dates by rain, not just temperature
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.
What to pack
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).
How Beijing compares for rain and warmth
- 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.
These comparisons use the same ten-year window for every city in the dataset.
Monthly temperature and rain table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36° | 20° | 0 | 0.1 in | 8.2 h/day | 9.6 h | 2% | 39% |
| February | 43° | 23° | 2 | 0.3 in | 8.7 h/day | 10.6 h | 6% | 42% |
| March | 59° | 33° | 3 | 0.4 in | 9.8 h/day | 11.8 h | 8% | 42% |
| April | 72° | 47° | 3 | 0.8 in | 9.7 h/day | 13.2 h | 11% | 39% |
| May | 83° | 58° | 5 | 1.1 in | 10.1 h/day | 14.4 h | 15% | 42% |
| June | 91° | 68° | 6 | 2.2 in | 10.3 h/day | 15.0 h | 20% | 49% |
| July | 89° | 73° | 14 | 9.2 in | 8.8 h/day | 14.7 h | 46% | 71% |
| August | 86° | 70° | 12 | 6.3 in | 9.2 h/day | 13.7 h | 38% | 75% |
| September | 80° | 61° | 6 | 2.3 in | 9.1 h/day | 12.4 h | 20% | 65% |
| October | 65° | 46° | 4 | 1.2 in | 7.9 h/day | 11.1 h | 13% | 59% |
| November | 49° | 32° | 3 | 0.8 in | 7.3 h/day | 9.9 h | 9% | 57% |
| December | 37° | 21° | 1 | 0.1 in | 7.9 h/day | 9.3 h | 2% | 43% |
The wet and quieter 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.
Rain and seasonal questions about Beijing
When is monsoon season in Beijing?
How cold does Beijing get in winter?
How often does it rain in Beijing?
How warm is Beijing on average?
What should I pack for Beijing?
How humid does Beijing get?
Beijing temperature extremes in the 2015–2024 dataset
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need another precipitation unit? Use the rainfall converter.