Last updated: August 21, 2025
January in Kunming, China offers a mild winter experience, with temperatures ranging from a pleasant 20°C (69°F) during the day to a cooler -3°C (26°F) at night. The average daily temperature hovers around 9°C (49°F), making it ideal for outdoor exploration. Visitors can expect about 42 mm (1.7 in) of precipitation spread over five days, so a light rain jacket may come in handy. With a humidity level of around 56%, the air feels crisp yet comfortable, allowing travelers to enjoy the city's beautiful scenery without the summer crowds.
In January, Kunming experiences a range of temperatures that reveal its unique climatic character. The month begins with minimums plummeting to -3°C (26°F), setting a chilly tone, while the average temperature hovers around a mild 9°C (49°F). These cool beginnings gradually give way to daytime highs reaching 20°C (69°F), allowing for some pleasantly warm afternoons. This pattern of crisp mornings and sunny days is typical, hinting at the gradual warming trend that continues into February and beyond, where temperatures begin to climb steadily. As you navigate through the months, you’ll notice a clear transition from the colder winter spell to the more temperate and inviting spring, showcasing Kunming's delightful climate diversity.
In January, Kunming experiences a moderate level of precipitation, receiving approximately 42 mm (1.7 in) over just 5 days. This sets the tone for the winter month, with rainfall significantly lower than the peak wet seasons that follow. As the year progresses into February and March, the precipitation trends remain relatively low, with 29 mm (1.1 in) in February and 33 mm (1.3 in) in March. These early months of the year contrast sharply with the heavier rainfall that begins around April, where monthly totals jump to 85 mm (3.4 in). The pattern clearly indicates that Kunming's wet season escalates dramatically in late spring and summer, with rainfall peaking in June and July at an impressive 270 mm (10.6 in) and 272 mm (10.7 in) respectively, and these months also feature the highest number of rainy days. This cyclical trend highlights Kunming's diverse climatology, showcasing a relatively dry January that precedes a significant shift toward a lush, verdant summer landscape.
In January, humidity in Kunming, China settles at a comfortable 56%, providing a refreshing start to the year. This month marks the beginning of a gradual rise, as February sees a notable increase to 69%. Following this upward trend, the humidity peaks during the summer months, with July and August reaching a high of nearly 90%, creating a humid atmosphere that characterizes the region. However, as the seasons shift, humidity begins to decline, dipping back down to 74% in December. Overall, January serves as a transitional month, offering a relatively dry climate before the more humid times ahead, illustrating the dynamic weather patterns that define Kunming throughout the year.
In January, Kunming, China, experiences a very high UV Index of 8, with a burn time of just 15 minutes. While this signals a need for caution, it is a precursor to the even more intense UV levels that rise steadily as the months progress. By February, the UV Index climbs to 9, maintaining the same exposure category. The real surge occurs from March through July, where the Index reaches extreme levels, peaking at 16 in July with a minimized burn time of only 10 minutes during this period. As summer yields to autumn, UV levels start to taper off, with November returning to a very high index of 9, while December sees a slight relief at 7, classified as high. This trend reveals the importance of sun safety throughout the year in Kunming, as the region transitions from winter to the more dangerously sunlit months. For more detailed information, visit Kunming UV Index.
UV Risk Categories
January in Kunming, China, welcomes the year with 224 hours of sunshine, setting the stage for a gradual increase in daylight as the months unfold. February sees an uplifting rise to 265 hours, hinting at the arrival of spring. As the landscape awakens, March boasts 322 hours—the sun's warmth becoming more pronounced. April and May hold their own, with 298 hours and 329 hours respectively, showcasing some of the sunniest days of the year. The sunshine then begins to moderate during the summer months, as June and July offer 291 hours and 279 hours, respectively. August reignites hopes with a strong 310 hours, before transitioning into a gentle decline in autumn, where September records 285 hours and October drops to 246 hours. November and December maintain a cozy charm with 267 hours and 262 hours. Overall, Kunming's January sunshine marks the beginning of a delightful journey toward brighter, sunnier months ahead.
In Kunming, China, January brings a 60% chance of sunny weather, making it a relatively bright month compared to the rest of the year. As winter transitions into spring, February sees a slight increase in sunshine with a 66% likelihood, laying the groundwork for a steady rise through March, where the sun shines 76% of the time. However, as the year progresses toward the summer months, the chances of sun dip sharply, with June and July experiencing only 17% and 13% sunny days, respectively. This trend illustrates a clear pattern: while January offers a promising start to the year, the vibrant sunshine gradually wanes as summer approaches, leading to a significant decrease in visibility and warmth.
In Kunming, China, January marks the beginning of a gradual shift in daylight duration, offering approximately 10 hours of sunlight each day. As the calendar progresses into February, the days begin to lengthen, gaining an extra hour of daylight. This trend continues, peaking in the golden months of May through July, where residents bask in a generous 13 hours of daylight. Following this peak, daylight hours start to wane again, with a notable drop in August back to 12 hours, and further decreasing as the year winds down. By November and December, Kunming returns to 10 hours of daylight, completing a beautifully cyclical pattern that showcases the city’s climatic dynamism throughout the year.
In January, Kunming experiences a gentle breeze with an average wind speed of 3.3 m/s (7 mph). This transitional month marks the beginning of a gradual uptick in wind activity, as February sees a slight increase to 3.4 m/s (8 mph). By March, the winds pick up notably, reaching 4.5 m/s (10 mph), heralding the upcoming spring. As the season progresses into April and May, the winds soften again, averaging around 3.6 m/s and 3.9 m/s, respectively. The summer months bring a noticeable decrease, with July and August presenting the calmest conditions, where wind speeds drop to around 2.3 m/s (5 mph). Interestingly, the autumn months begin to revive the gusts slightly, culminating in a winter lull with December's winds tapering to 2.5 m/s (6 mph). This pattern showcases Kunming's characteristic variability, with January serving as a gentle prelude to the more dynamic winds of spring.
Weather in Kunming varies notably across the year, with each month offering distinct climate conditions. This page compares January’s weather to other months in Kunming, focusing on differences in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and UV levels.
In January, the weather in Kunming features a minimum temperature of -3°C (26°F) and an average of 9°C (49°F), with highs reaching up to 20°C (69°F). The month experiences 42 mm (1.7 in) of precipitation over five days and has a humidity level of 56%. In contrast, February sees a slight increase in average temperature to 11°C (52°F), with maximum temperatures climbing to 24°C (75°F), while the minimum remains at -3°C (28°F). Precipitation decreases to 29 mm (1.1 in) over the same number of rainy days, but humidity rises significantly to 69%. For more detailed insights, you can check Kunming weather in February.
January and March present distinct differences in weather patterns. In January, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of -3°C (26°F) to a milder average of 9°C (49°F), peaking at 20°C (69°F). The month experiences about 42 mm (1.7 in) of precipitation over five days, accompanied by a humidity level of 56%. In contrast, March brings a noticeable warmth, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 4°C (40°F) to an average of 15°C (60°F), reaching a maximum of 28°C (83°F). Precipitation decreases slightly to 33 mm (1.3 in) over six days, while humidity remains comparable at 54%. For more details on March weather, check out this link: Kunming weather in March.
In January, the weather experiences a chill with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -3°C (26°F) to a mild maximum of 20°C (69°F) and an average of 9°C (49°F). The month sees about 42 mm (1.7 in) of precipitation over 5 days, accompanied by a humidity level of 56%. In stark contrast, April brings a significant warming trend, with temperatures starting at a minimum of 3°C (38°F) and peaking at 31°C (88°F), averaging around 17°C (63°F). This month is wetter, recording 85 mm (3.4 in) of precipitation over 11 days, while humidity remains relatively stable at 54%. For more details on April weather, you can visit Kunming weather in April.
In comparison to January, May experiences significantly warmer temperatures, with a minimum of 7°C (44°F) and an average high of 32°C (90°F), compared to January's chilly minimum of -3°C (26°F) and a maximum of 20°C (69°F). Additionally, May tends to be wetter, receiving 88 mm (3.5 in) of precipitation over 11 days, whereas January sees only 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain across 5 days. The humidity also rises in May to 69%, up from January's 56%, creating a more humid atmosphere as spring fully unfolds. For more details on the weather in May, you can check Kunming weather in May.
January and June present contrasting weather patterns. In January, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of -3°C (26°F) to a mild maximum of 20°C (69°F), with an average temperature of 9°C (49°F). The month sees a relatively low precipitation level of 42 mm (1.7 in) over about 5 days, accompanied by a humidity level of 56%. In stark contrast, June experiences significantly warmer weather, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 12°C (54°F) to a maximum of 30°C (85°F), and an average of 21°C (70°F). However, June is also marked by heavy rainfall, accumulating 270 mm (10.6 in) across 21 days, and higher humidity at 85%. For more detailed insights, check out Kunming weather in June.
January and July present striking contrasts in weather. In January, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of -3°C (26°F) to a pleasant maximum of 20°C (69°F), with an average of 9°C (49°F). This month experiences relatively low precipitation, totaling 42 mm (1.7 in) over approximately 5 days, and humidity stands at a moderate 56%. In stark contrast, July sees much warmer temperatures, with a minimum of 15°C (58°F) and a maximum reaching 28°C (83°F), averaging around 20°C (69°F). However, the month is considerably wetter, with precipitation soaring to 272 mm (10.7 in) across 26 days, and humidity levels rising dramatically to 89%. For more detailed insights, you can visit Kunming weather in July.
In January, the weather is significantly cooler with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -3°C (26°F) to a maximum of 20°C (69°F). The average temperature sits around 9°C (49°F), accompanied by moderate precipitation of 42 mm (1.7 in) over just 5 days, and a humidity level of 56%. In stark contrast, August brings much warmer conditions, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 15°C (59°F) to a maximum of 29°C (85°F) and an average of 20°C (69°F). Precipitation surges to 269 mm (10.6 in) over 26 days, and humidity escalates to a high 90%. For more insights into the specifics of August weather in this region, you can check Kunming weather in August.
January and September exhibit markedly different weather patterns. In January, temperatures are relatively cool, ranging from a minimum of -3°C (26°F) to a maximum of 20°C (69°F), with an average of 9°C (49°F). The month experiences moderate precipitation totaling 42 mm (1.7 in) over about 5 days, and humidity levels are at around 56%. In contrast, September sees a warmer climate, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 10°C (50°F) to a maximum of 27°C (81°F) and an average of 19°C (66°F). However, it is also much wetter, receiving a significant 193 mm (7.6 in) of rain over 22 days, coupled with higher humidity levels at 85%. These contrasts highlight the transition from the cool, dry winter of January to the warm, humid conditions typical of September. For more detailed information, check out Kunming weather in September.
In January, the weather tends to be cooler, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -3°C (26°F) to a maximum of 20°C (69°F) and an average of 9°C (49°F). This month experiences relatively low precipitation, with about 42 mm (1.7 in) spread over 5 days, and the humidity is at a comfortable 56%. In contrast, October sees significantly milder temperatures, with a minimum of 8°C (47°F), an average of 16°C (61°F), and a peak of 25°C (78°F). However, it is also much wetter, receiving 109 mm (4.3 in) over 17 days, and the humidity rises to 80%. For more detailed insights, check Kunming weather in October.
In January, the weather is generally cooler, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -3°C (26°F) to a maximum of 20°C (69°F) and an average of about 9°C (49°F). The month experiences low humidity at 56% and receives approximately 42 mm (1.7 in) of precipitation over just 5 days. In contrast, November sees milder conditions, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 3°C (38°F) to a maximum of 24°C (75°F) and an average of 13°C (55°F). The humidity is significantly higher at 83%, and although it has slightly less precipitation at 37 mm (1.4 in), it occurs over more days, totaling 7. For more details on the weather in this month, you can check Kunming weather in November.
January and December in Kunming exhibit similar average temperatures, hovering around 9°C (49°F), but January tends to have slightly cooler minimum temperatures, dipping to -3°C (26°F) compared to December's -2°C (29°F). Both months see maximum temperatures reaching 20°C (68-69°F). Precipitation levels in January increase to 42 mm (1.7 in) over 5 days, while December receives less rain, totaling 28 mm (1.1 in) over the same number of days. Additionally, January's humidity sits at 56%, notably lower than December's 74%, creating a drier feel to the air in the new year. For more details on December's weather, visit Kunming weather in December.
In January, Kunming experiences a unique blend of cool temperatures and mild conditions, standing out from the warmer months of the year. With an average temperature around 9°C and maximums reaching 20°C, it's a time when visitors can enjoy the crisp air without the sweltering heat typical of summer. This month also sees a modest amount of precipitation, with about 42 mm falling over just a handful of days, contributing to the region's refreshing atmosphere. The humidity hovers at a moderate 56%, ensuring that while it can feel brisk, it rarely feels uncomfortable. For a deeper dive into how January fits into the broader climate patterns of the city, explore Kunming Climate.