Our pick is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) outside the typhoon peak. The Shanghai government’s own guide gives spring as about 11 to 21 °C and autumn as falling from about 25 °C to 15 °C, while summer is extremely hot and humid, the plum rain runs from mid-June to early July and the typhoon peak is late August to mid-September.
What is Shanghai’s climate?
The Shanghai government describes a northern subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, and says spring and autumn are relatively short compared with summer and winter. Its Basic Facts 2022 booklet gives the 2021 average temperature as 17.9 °C and total precipitation as 1,474.5 mm, with more than 66.1% of the rain falling between June and September. The four-seasons guide gives the 2024 average temperature as 18.8 °C.
Season by season
| Season | Months | What the Shanghai government says | What it means for a trip (our reading) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March to May | About 11 to 21 °C. Chilly early mornings, pleasantly warm afternoons, frequent drizzles. | Pack a light waterproof layer. Garden and walking days work well. |
| Summer | June to August | Extremely hot and humid. Highs frequently soared above 35 °C in 2024. Regular afternoon thunderstorms. | Plan outdoor stops early and indoor stops, such as the Shanghai Museum, for the afternoon. |
| Autumn | September to November | Falls from about 25 °C in early autumn to about 15 °C toward the end. Typhoon peak runs late August to mid-September. | Cooler walking weather. Keep a spare day in early September for storms. |
| Winter | December to February | Cold and damp, about 3 to 11 °C. Snow is rare and some years have none. Coldest from late January to early February. | Layers and indoor options. Fewer long outdoor stops. |
When is the plum rain season?
The guide says the annual rainy season, called plum rain or meiyu, runs from mid-June to early July. It describes a long period of continuous rain or cloud and calls it not the most favourable time for travel. Dates change each year, so we check the forecast before we plan outdoor stops in that window.
When are typhoons a risk?
The guide gives the peak typhoon season as generally lasting from late August to mid-September, with strong winds and heavy rain. If you travel then, we keep a flexible day in the plan and move indoor stops forward. We do not promise a refund policy here, because we have not set one for storms. Ask us for the written terms.
Our pick, and how we reached it
This is an editorial judgement, not a sourced fact. The criteria are the temperature ranges the government gives, the share of rain that falls from June to September (66.1% in 2021) and the dated plum rain and typhoon windows. On those criteria, March to May and late September to November have the mildest range and avoid the wettest and stormiest weeks. Your own priorities may differ: if you prefer fewer crowds in winter, or can accept heat for lower hotel demand, tell us and we plan around that.
What this guide does not cover
The sources we read give no month-by-month table, no crowd levels and no figures for Suzhou, Hangzhou or Tongli. We leave those out. For a day trip outside Shanghai we check the local forecast the week before.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Shanghai?
Our pick is the spring months (March to May) or autumn (September to November), avoiding mid-June to early July and late August to mid-September. This is an editorial judgement based on the Shanghai government’s temperature, plum rain and typhoon information.
When is the rainy season in Shanghai?
The plum rain season runs from mid-June to early July, according to the Shanghai government’s four-seasons guide.
When is typhoon season in Shanghai?
The peak is generally late August to mid-September, per the same guide.
How hot does Shanghai get in summer?
Summers are extremely hot and humid, and temperatures frequently soared above 35 °C in 2024, according to the Shanghai government.
How cold is Shanghai in winter?
About 3 to 11 °C on average, damp, with snow rare and some years none.
How much does it rain in Shanghai?
In 2021 the total was 1,474.5 mm and more than 66.1% fell between June and September, according to Shanghai Basic Facts 2022.
What is the average temperature in Shanghai?
17.9 °C in 2021 (Basic Facts 2022) and 18.8 °C in 2024 (the four-seasons guide).
Sources
Facts on this page were checked on 9 November 2026 against these sources, from official pages where they exist and from the Wikipedia articles named in the list. Hours, prices and access change; we confirm them again before every trip.
