Dalian features a temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, influenced by its coastal location. Summers are warm, humid, and rainy, while winters are cold, dry, and windy, but milder than inland northeast China. Rain falls mainly in summer, snow is light in winter, and sunshine is plentiful from late spring through early autumn.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Dalian, situated on the Liaodong Peninsula and bordered by the Bohai and Yellow Seas, experiences a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate. The city has four distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are warm, humid, and wet, with average highs of 24–28°C and lows around 20–22°C. July and August are the hottest and wettest months, with rainfall peaking at 140–150 mm monthly, often falling in short, heavy bursts, mostly at night. Humidity is high, but sea breezes provide relief, and sunshine is abundant, with up to 250 hours per month.
Winters (December–February) are cold, dry, and windy, but milder than much of northeast China, with average highs of 0–3°C and lows near -4 to -6°C. Snowfall is light (20–30 cm annually), and snow cover is usually short-lived. Spring (March–May) is cool and windy, with temperatures rising from 8°C in March to 22°C in May. Spring can bring yellow dust from Mongolia and occasional fog. Autumn (September–November) is sunny, cool, and dry, with highs dropping from 25°C in September to 10°C in November. Annual precipitation averages 600–700 mm, with over 60% falling in summer. Dalian enjoys 2,500–2,900 hours of sunshine per year, and winds are moderate to strong, especially in winter and spring.
| Average climate data for Dalian, China | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -0 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 20 | 24 | 27 | 27 | 24 | 18 | 10 | 3 | 27 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -7 | -5 | 0 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 11 | 3 | -3 | -7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 9 | 6 | 12 | 25 | 47 | 83 | 141 | 156 | 65 | 29 | 20 | 11 | 603 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 73 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 57 | 55 | 54 | 55 | 61 | 73 | 84 | 80 | 70 | 62 | 60 | 57 | 64 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 13 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
The best time to visit Dalian is from May to early October. Late spring and early autumn offer mild, sunny weather (18–25°C), low rainfall, and comfortable conditions for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and enjoying the coast. Summer is great for beaches and festivals, though it is also the rainiest and most humid period.
The least favourable time to visit is from December to March, when Dalian is cold, dry, and windy, with highs around 0–3°C and occasional light snow. While winters are not as severe as inland northeast China, outdoor activities are limited, and strong winds can make it feel colder.
Dalian has warm, humid summers (24–28°C) and cold, dry winters (0–3°C), with moderate rainfall mainly in summer. Spring and autumn are mild and sunny, and the city enjoys plenty of sunshine year-round.
Dalian’s rainy season is in summer (June–August), with July and August being the wettest months. Over 60% of the annual rainfall occurs during this period, mostly as short, heavy bursts at night.
Snowfall in Dalian is light compared to other parts of northeast China. Snow occurs mainly from December to February, but accumulations are usually small and melt quickly due to moderate winter temperatures.
Yes, Dalian is known for its moderate to strong winds, especially in winter and spring. The coastal location brings brisk breezes, and spring can also see yellow dust from Mongolia.
Dalian enjoys 2,500–2,900 hours of sunshine per year, with the sunniest months from May to August. Even in winter, there are several hours of sun on most days.
Pack layers and a windproof jacket for spring and autumn, light clothes and sun protection for summer, and a warm coat, scarf, and gloves for winter. An umbrella is useful in summer evenings due to frequent night rain.
Dalian is least crowded in winter (December–March) and early spring. These periods are quieter, but weather can be cold and windy. Summer is busiest due to beaches and festivals.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (27.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-0.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 14.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (21.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-6.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (23.7 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (2.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 12.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (156.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (5.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 602.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (11.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (3 days). Over the whole year there are 72.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (84 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is March (54.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 64.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 8.9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 5 h). Over the whole year there are 7.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 10). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.5.
