Suzhou features a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons: hot, humid summers, cool to cold damp winters, and mild, pleasant spring and autumn. The city is known for its abundant rainfall, lush gardens, and dramatic seasonal changes, making it a year-round destination with especially beautiful scenery in spring and 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.
Suzhou’s climate is shaped by its location in the Yangtze River Delta, resulting in a four-season humid subtropical climate. Summers (June–September) are hot, humid, and wet, with average highs of 32–35°C in July and August. The plum rain season, from mid-June to early July, brings frequent torrential downpours and high humidity, while late summer can see occasional heatwaves pushing temperatures above 38°C. Sunshine is strongest in July and August, with up to 8 hours per day, but sudden showers are common, so carrying an umbrella is advised. Nights remain warm, and the air can feel oppressive for those unaccustomed to the humidity.
Winters (December–February) are cold, damp, and often cloudy, with average highs of 7–10°C and lows around 0–3°C. Snow is rare but possible, and the dampness can make the cold feel more intense than the thermometer suggests. Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) are the most pleasant seasons, with mild temperatures (10–25°C), blooming flowers or colourful foliage, and generally sunny, comfortable weather. Rainfall is moderate in these seasons, and temperature swings between day and night are common. Annual precipitation ranges from 1,070 to 1,400 mm, with the wettest months in early summer and the driest in winter. Suzhou enjoys about 1,900–2,000 hours of sunshine annually, with the most sun from May to August. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms or in spring and autumn.
| Average climate data for Suzhou, China | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 8 | 10 | 15 | 21 | 26 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 23 | 17 | 10 | 32 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 21 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 42 | 48 | 51 | 35 | 58 | 138 | 159 | 108 | 68 | 25 | 40 | 40 | 811 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 10 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 166 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 27 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 62 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 67 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 69 | 76 | 81 | 81 | 82 | 72 | 68 | 65 | 73 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 42 | 46 | 44 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 43 | 41 | 48 | 37 | 41 | 33 | 42 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
The best time to visit Suzhou is in spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November), when temperatures are mild (15–25°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city’s gardens and water towns are at their most beautiful. These seasons offer comfortable weather for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and enjoying Suzhou’s vibrant festivals and natural scenery.
The least favourable time to visit is in peak summer (July and August), when Suzhou is hottest, most humid, and experiences frequent heavy rain. The plum rain season in June and early July brings torrential downpours, making outdoor activities challenging. Winter (December to February) can also be cold, damp, and less inviting for extended exploration.
Suzhou has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers, mild and pleasant spring and autumn, and cold, damp winters. Rainfall is abundant, especially in summer, and the city experiences four distinct seasons.
Summer temperatures in Suzhou typically reach 32–35°C in July and August, with occasional peaks above 38°C. Humidity is high, and frequent rain showers or thunderstorms are common, especially during the plum rain season.
Snow is rare in Suzhou but possible, mainly between December and February. When it does occur, it is usually light and melts quickly, rarely disrupting daily life or travel plans.
The rainiest period is from June to July, known as the plum rain season, with frequent heavy downpours and high humidity. Summer overall is the wettest time, while winter is relatively dry.
Suzhou enjoys about 1,900–2,000 hours of sunshine annually. The sunniest months are from May to August, with up to 8 hours of sunshine per day, while winter months are cloudier and see less sun.
Pack layers and an umbrella for spring and autumn. In summer, bring light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and rain gear. For winter, warm, waterproof layers and sturdy shoes are recommended due to the cold and dampness.
Suzhou is humid year-round, especially in summer. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms or in spring and autumn. Humidity and dampness are most noticeable in summer and winter.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (32 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (8.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (24.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (2.5 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (159.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is October (25.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 811.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (21 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is December (8.5 days). Over the whole year there are 165.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (26.8 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 61.9 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (2.7 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, May, July, August, October and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 6.1 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is September (81.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is December (65.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 72.7 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (12.8 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is September (10.4 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 11.8 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is June (50 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is December (32.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 42.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 4.1 h). Over the whole year there are 6.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.7.
