Guangzhou is the main city in South China. In addition it is the third most populated city in the country. The city is situated close to south-eastern coast of the South China Sea at estuary of the Pearl River. There are some slight variations of relief, but their influence on climate of the city is minor. Guangzhou lies in the zone of subtropical climate with influence of seasonal monsoon winds.

Southern location of the city results smooth transition of seasons. Winters are usually mild and relatively while summers are hot, though annual range of temperature is pretty wide. On the other hand usually temperature doesn’t drop below freezing even in coldest nights of January. Even lowest ever recorded temperature is 0 °C. Spring and autumn are rainy.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Guangzhou

March is the threshold of rainy season. Amount of rainfall is still moderate, but higher than it was in winter. Daily range of temperature is between 15 °C (59 °F) and 22 °C (71 °F). April is the first month of rainy season. Amount of rainfall hit 200 mm (7.8”) and temperature at afternoon rises to 26 °C (79 °F). Nights are warmer too with around 20 °C (68 °F).

May is the rainiest month with around 280 mm (11”) of precipitation. Growth of temperature continues and might reach 30 °C (86 °F) at afternoon. At night there are around 22 °C (71 °F). Combination of humidity and heat isn’t the best, but in May it is more tolerable than in following months.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 4.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 77 mm (3.0")

April Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 145 mm (5.7")

May Max average t°: +29.5 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 18 days Precipitation: 286 mm (11.3")

Spring Holidays

March – Guangzhou International Travel Fair.
March 8 – International Women’s Day.
March 12 – Arbor Day.

April – China Import and Export Fair.
April 4 (5 in a leap year) – Tomb Sweeping Festival.

May 1st – Labor Day.

Summer in Guangzhou

Summer is the time of torrential showers and thunder in Guangzhou. Weather of June is similar to May unless it is slightly less rainy and a bit hotter. July and August are the hottest month when at afternoon air might warm up to 33 °C (91 °F), but evenings bring more comfortable 25 °C (77 °F). It still rains much, but amount of precipitation slowly decreases reaching mark of 230 mm (9”) in August.

On top of it whole summer is the season with the highest likehood of typhoons caused by monsoon. Summer isn’t the best season to visit the city in terms of weather, but it is the best in terms of pricing. Discounted cost of accommodation, food and entertainment attracts crowds of frugal tourists.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +31 °C (88 °F) Min average t°: +24.5 °C (76 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 18 days Precipitation: 282 mm (11.1")

July Max average t°: +33 °C (91 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 16 days Precipitation: 217 mm (8.5")

August Max average t°: +33 °C (91 °F) Min average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 280 mm (11.0")

Summer Holidays

June 1 – Children’s Day.
5th day of 5th lunar month – Dragon Boat Festival.

July – Litchi Festival.
July 11 – National Maritime Day.

7th of 7th lunar month – Begging for Skills Festival, Double Seven Festival.
15th day of 7th lunar month – Ghost Festival.

August 1 – Army Day.

Autumn in Guangzhou

First half of autumn is the best time in Guangzhou. It is warm enough for wearing shirt and shorts and amount of rainfall decreases even more. October is completely comfortable month with its range of temperature between 21 °C (70 °F) and 29 °C (84 °F). Rainfall reduces to around 90 mm (3.5”) and there are almost no strong winds.

November is even drier and cooler. Afternoons of last month of autumn are as warm as 25 °C (77 °F), but at nights there is 16 °C (61 °F), so some layering is needed for late strolls. Late autumn is the best time of a year to visit the city.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +32 °C (89 °F) Min average t°: +23 °C (74 °F) Sundial in the day: 7.5 hours Rainy days: 12 days Precipitation: 198 mm (7.8")

October Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 68 mm (2.7")

November Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 56 mm (2.2")

Autumn Holidays

September 30 – Victory over Japan Day.

October – China Import and Export Fair.
15th day of 8th lunar month – Mid-Autumn festival.
October 1-3 – National Day.

October-November (leap years) – Guangzhou International Yueju Opera Festival.
November – Guangzhou International Food Festival.
November (even numbered years) – Guangzhou International Tea Culture Festival.

Winter in Guangzhou

Winter weather in Guangzhou is predominantly sunny dry and bit chilly. There is no actual cold and snow is exceptionally rare. Wide daily range of temperature is main feature of the season. December afternoons might be as warm as 20 °C (68 °F) while a night temperature drops to 10 °C (50 °F). Weather in January is similar, but days are cooler with around 18 °C (64 °F). Weather of February is more like in January, unless there are slightly more rains (85 mm or 3.3“). Winter is foggy too.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +21 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 29 mm (1.1")

January Max average t°: +18.5 °C (65 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (49 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 30 mm (1.2")

February Max average t°: +18 °C (65 °F) Min average t°: +10.5 °C (51 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 41 mm (1.6")

Winter Holidays

1st day of 1st lunar month – Spring Festival (Chinesse New Year).
12th lunar month – Flower Fair.
2nd lunar month – Boluo Dan Temple Fair.
2nd day of 2nd lunar month – Zhonge Festival.
19th day of 2nd lunar month – Guanyin's Birthday.

*Some observances, public holidays and other events are being held according to Chinese Lunar Calendar. Respective dates in Gregorian calendar are vary from year to year.