Last updated: January 18, 2025
Shanxi, China, exhibits a diverse climate characterized by several Köppen-Geiger classifications, including Dwb, Dwa, BSk, and Cwa. This region experiences a wide temperature range, with winter minima plunging to -31°C (-24°F) in January, while summer months can bring maximums soaring to 40°C (105°F) in July. The average annual temperature hovers around 9°C (49°F), creating a unique climate that significantly influences the local ecosystem, agriculture, and daily life. Understanding these climatic nuances is essential for managing resources and preparing for seasonal variations in this dynamic region.
In Shanxi, China, temperature patterns reveal distinct seasonal trends marked by pronounced winter cold and summer warmth. January and February experience severe cold, with minimum temperatures reaching as low as -31°C (-24°F) and -26°C (-15°F), respectively, while average temperatures remain below freezing. As spring transitions in March and April, temperatures gradually rise, with March recording average highs of 5°C (42°F) and April peaking at 34°C (93°F). The warmth intensifies by May and June, where average temperatures climb to 17°C (62°F) and 21°C (70°F), and maximums spike towards 39°C (103°F). July heralds the height of summer with maximum temperatures of 40°C (105°F), followed closely by August's similar warmth. As the seasons shift into autumn, September marks a cooling trend, with average temperatures dropping back to 17°C (62°F), and by November and December, Shanxi returns to the cold grip of winter, highlighted by minimums dipping to -30°C (-22°F) and -19°C (-2°F), culminating a year of stark temperature contrasts that shape the local climate and environment.
Chaoyang experiences a minimum temperature of -23°C (-9°F) in January and a maximum of 33°C (91°F) in July, indicative of significant seasonal variation monthly temperatures in Chaoyang. In contrast, Fenghuangcheng endures colder winters with a minimum of -28°C (-18°F) in January, while its summers peak at 32°C (90°F) monthly temperatures in Fenghuangcheng. Tiantan records a milder winter minimum of -17°C (2°F) in January and the highest summer maximum among the three at 39°C (102°F) in July monthly temperatures in Tiantan.
Precipitation patterns in Shanxi, China highlight a marked seasonal variation, characterized by minimal rainfall during the winter months and increased rainfall during the summer. January and February are particularly dry, with precipitation measuring only 5 mm (0.2 in) and 9 mm (0.3 in), respectively, and minimal rainy days—particularly in January, which records no significant rainfall. As the spring months arrive, March sees a slight uptick to 21 mm (0.8 in), followed by April and May, both experiencing steady precipitation of 38 mm (1.5 in).
The summer months of June through August witness the highest rainfall, with July peaking at 138 mm (5.4 in), supported by a significant number of rainy days—approximately 14 days in July alone. This period accounts for the majority of the annual precipitation in Shanxi, resulting in a total of 61 mm (2.4 in) in June and 114 mm (4.5 in) in August. As autumn settles in, September and October see a gradual decline in precipitation, with 75 mm (3.0 in) and 56 mm (2.2 in) respectively, while November and December return to drier conditions, emphasizing the stark contrast between the humid summer and drier winter months.
In Shanxi, China, sunshine duration displays a distinct seasonal pattern, with a notable increase as the year progresses from winter into summer. January brings the least sunshine at 215 hours, but as February approaches, sunlight hours rise to 266 hours. This gradual increase continues through March, peaking at 298 hours, and maintains a robust level of sunshine in April with 293 hours. The transition to warmer months culminates in May, where daylight hours reach a high of 334 hours, indicating the onset of the region's sunny season.
The summer months further reinforce this trend, with June, July, and August consistently basking in abundant sunshine, boasting 319 hours, 327 hours, and 320 hours, respectively. These months represent the zenith of sunlight availability, which plays a crucial role in influencing local agriculture and daily life. As autumn approaches, sunlight begins to wane, with September recording 272 hours and continuing the downward trend through October and November, where sunshine hours drop to 256 hours and 255 hours. By December, sunshine duration slightly recovers to 265 hours, yet it remains evident that the winter months are marked by significantly less sunlight compared to the vibrant summer peaks.
In Shanxi, China, the UV Index exhibits significant seasonal fluctuations that reflect the intensity of solar radiation throughout the year. During the winter months, particularly in January and February, the UV Index remains moderate, ranging from 4 to 5 with a burn time of 30 minutes. As spring unfolds, the UV Index climbs noticeably, reaching 7 in March and escalating to 10 by April, transitioning to a very high exposure category that necessitates caution. The peak occurs in the summer, where May through July records extreme UV Index levels of 11 and 12, respectively, demanding minimal exposure times of just 10 minutes to prevent sunburn.
As summer wanes and autumn sets in, the UV Index begins to decline, yet it remains high, with September and October showing values of 9 and 8, classified as very high, which still requires protective measures for prolonged outdoor activities. By November and December, the UV Index drops back to moderate levels of 5 and 3, with burn times increasing again to 30 minutes. This seasonal variability highlights the importance of sun protection strategies, especially during the intense summer months when UV exposure peaks and can pose health risks to individuals enjoying the outdoors.
UV Risk Categories
Daylight duration in Shanxi, China, showcases a clear seasonal progression, with variations that reflect the changing length of days throughout the year. In the depths of winter, January and December experience the shortest daylight, each offering only 9 hours. As February approaches, daylight increases modestly to 10 hours, indicating the gradual shift towards spring. By March, the hours of daylight continue to extend, reaching 11 hours, and further increases through April (13 hours) and May (14 hours), signifying the onset of longer days as temperatures begin to rise.
During the summer months of June, July, and August, daylight remains consistent at 14 hours, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities and agricultural pursuits. As September rolls in, daylight starts to taper down to 12 hours, followed by a decline to 11 hours in October and 10 hours in November. This gradual shortening of daylight as winter approaches underscores the seasonal rhythms that dictate both lifestyle and environment in Shanxi, as residents adapt to longer nights and shorter days during the colder months.
Chaoyang, China experiences a continental climate marked by cold winters and warm summers. January temperatures can drop as low as -23°C (-9°F), while July sees averages around 21°C (71°F). Precipitation is minimal in winter and peaks during the summer months, particularly in July with 216 mm (8.5 in) of rain. The region enjoys significant sunshine throughout the year, averaging over 300 hours in the summer. For more detailed information, visit Chaoyang climate.
Datong, China experiences a significant temperature range throughout the year, with January temperatures ranging from -25°C (-12°F) to a maximum of 6°C (44°F) and July reaching up to 36°C (97°F). Precipitation peaks in July at 130 mm (5.1 in), contributing to a noticeable wet season during the summer months, while winter remains quite dry. The region enjoys a high number of sunshine hours, particularly in May, with around 340 hours. Overall, the climate is characterized by cold winters and hot summers, making it quite variable. For more details, visit Datong climate.
Dongguan, China, experiences a varied climate throughout the year, with January and December being the coldest months, exhibiting minimum temperatures as low as -25°C (-13°F). The region warms significantly in the summer, particularly in July, when maximum temperatures reach 36°C (96°F). Rainfall is most abundant in the summer months, especially July and August, with precipitation levels of 112 mm (4.4 in) and 105 mm (4.2 in) respectively. Despite the precipitation, sunshine is plentiful, peaking in May with 340 hours. For more detailed weather information, visit Dongguan climate.
The climate in Fenghuang, China features cold winters with January temperatures averaging around -10°C (14°F) and mild summers where July averages about 19°C (67°F). Precipitation peaks in July with 189 mm (7.4 in), while drier months include January and December, receiving only 4 mm (0.1 in) and 3 mm (0.1 in) respectively. The area enjoys significant sunshine, particularly in May, which boasts 339 hours of sunlight. For more detailed information, visit Fenghuang climate.
Fenghuangcheng, China experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with January averaging -10°C (14°F) and July averaging 20°C (69°F). The climate features cold winters and warm summers, with the highest precipitation occurring in July (169 mm) and June (73 mm). Sunshine is abundant during the summer months, peaking at 338 hours in May. Winter months are characterized by minimal precipitation and a stark drop in temperatures. For more detailed information, visit Fenghuangcheng climate.
Haibeitou, China experiences a diverse climate throughout the year, with January temperatures ranging from a chilly -24°C to a maximum of 7°C. The region sees warmer weather from May to August, peaking at 35°C in July. Precipitation varies, with the wettest months being July and August, accumulating over 100 mm. Additionally, sunshine is abundant, particularly in May and June, with over 300 hours of sun each month. For more detailed information, visit Haibeitou climate.
Hubei, China experiences distinct seasonal variations in climate. Winters are notably cold, with January temperatures averaging -11°C (13°F) and minimal precipitation, while summer months, particularly July and August, see average highs around 30°C (87°F) and significant rainfall, peaking at 166 mm (6.5 in). The region enjoys ample sunshine, especially in May and July, with over 340 hours recorded. For more detailed information, visit Hubei climate.
Longgang, China experiences a diverse climate throughout the year, ranging from cold winters to warm summers. January temperatures can drop as low as -20°C (-4°F), while July sees highs reaching 35°C (95°F). Precipitation varies, with July being the wettest month at 148 mm (5.8 in), and January the driest at 12 mm (0.5 in). Sunshine is abundant, especially in May, with an impressive 320 hours. For more detailed information, visit Longgang climate.
Longquan, China, experiences a temperate climate characterized by significant seasonal temperature variations. Winters are harsh, with January temperatures averaging around -5°C (24°F) and minimums dropping to -24°C (-12°F), while summers are warm, peaking in July at an average of 23°C (73°F) and maximums reaching 35°C (96°F). Rainfall is most abundant in the summer months, particularly July and August, which receive over 110 mm (4.3 in) each, while January sees the least precipitation at just 7 mm (0.3 in). Despite its colder months, Longquan enjoys ample sunshine throughout the year, with July boasting the most hours at 336. For more detailed information, visit Longquan climate.
The climate in Qingyuan, China experiences a wide temperature range throughout the year, with January reaching a minimum of -18°C (0°F) and July peaking at 36°C (98°F). Precipitation is lowest in the winter months, particularly in January and December, while July and August see the highest rainfall at 85 mm (3.4 in) each. Sunshine is abundant, especially in May, which boasts 336 hours of sunlight. Overall, Qingyuan enjoys warm summers and cold winters, making it a region with notable seasonal variations. For more detailed information, visit Qingyuan climate.
Tiantan, China experiences a diverse climate throughout the year, with winter temperatures dropping as low as -17°C (2°F) in January and rising to a warm 39°C (102°F) in July. Precipitation varies significantly, peaking at 107 mm (4.2 in) in September, while the warm months see the highest sunshine hours, exceeding 300 hours between May and July. The transition from cold winters to hot summers is characterized by a gradual increase in average temperatures and rainfall. For more detailed information, visit Tiantan climate.
Yancheng, China experiences a continental climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. January sees frigid conditions with average temperatures around -10°C (15°F). Summer months, particularly July, are warm with average temperatures peaking at 20°C (69°F) and heavy rainfall, notably 150 mm (5.9 in). The city enjoys ample sunshine, especially from May to July, with May receiving the most hours at 340. For more detailed information, visit Yancheng climate.
The climate in Yangcheng, China, is characterized by cold winters and warm summers. January sees temperatures ranging from -17°C to 12°C with minimal precipitation, whereas July enjoys warm temperatures between 15°C and 35°C and the highest rainfall, averaging 135 mm. The region experiences substantial sunshine hours, peaking in May with 320 hours. As the seasons transition, precipitation generally increases, particularly in the summer months. For more detailed information, visit Yangcheng climate.
Yixing, China experiences a diverse climate throughout the year, with January as the coldest month, featuring temperatures ranging from -25°C to 8°C. As spring approaches, temperatures gradually rise, peaking in May and July, where averages reach about 20°C to 30°C. Rainfall is notably high in summer, with July receiving 217 mm, making it the wettest month. Despite this, Yixing enjoys a good amount of sunshine, especially in May with 332 hours. For more details on the climate, visit Yixing climate.
Yueyang, China experiences a diverse climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Winter months, especially January and December, can be quite cold, with average temperatures dropping as low as -3°C (27°F) in January. The summer months, particularly July, see higher averages around 24°C (75°F) with peaks up to 36°C (96°F). Rainfall peaks in July at 140 mm (5.5 in), contributing to the humid conditions prevalent during this season. For more details on the climate patterns, visit Yueyang climate.
In conclusion, the climate of Shanxi, China, is characterized by its distinct seasonal variations, profoundly influencing temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight hours. The region experiences marked temperature fluctuations, with freezing winters giving way to hot summers, complemented by a significant increase in rainfall during the warmer months. Furthermore, the patterns of sunshine duration and UV Index underscore the importance of sun protection during the peak summer season when solar radiation is most intense. As daylight duration shifts from long summer days to shorter winter ones, residents of Shanxi navigate these changes, adapting their lifestyles and activities accordingly. Overall, understanding these climatic patterns is essential for residents, policymakers, and researchers alike, as they seek to manage resources and plan for the impacts of seasonal changes in this dynamic environment.