Xi'an features a continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons: hot, humid summers, cold, dry winters, and mild, variable spring and autumn. The city experiences dramatic temperature swings, moderate rainfall concentrated in summer, and frequent clouds in winter, making Xi'an a fascinating destination for both cultural exploration and seasonal contrasts.
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.
Xi'an’s climate is shaped by its central Chinese location and continental monsoon influences. Summers (June–August) are hot and humid, with average highs of 32–35°C and frequent peaks above 38°C. July is the hottest month, and summer brings the most rainfall, with July and August each seeing 70–105 mm of rain, often as heavy storms or showers. Nights remain warm, and humidity can make the heat feel intense. Despite the rain, there are many sunny days, and summer is lively with festivals and outdoor events.
Winters (December–February) are cold and dry, with average highs of 4–7°C and lows often below freezing. January is the coldest month, with temperatures sometimes dropping to –10°C or lower during cold snaps. Snow is rare but possible, and the sky is often cloudy. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most pleasant seasons, with mild temperatures (10–25°C), moderate rainfall, and clear skies. Spring brings blooming flowers and occasional dust storms, while autumn is known for golden foliage and comfortable weather. Annual precipitation averages 600–700 mm, mostly falling from June to September. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms or dust events, especially in spring.
| Average climate data for Xi'an, China | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 8 | 14 | 21 | 26 | 31 | 32 | 31 | 25 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 32 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -4 | -1 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 3 | -2 | -4 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 7 | 10 | 29 | 43 | 61 | 55 | 98 | 72 | 92 | 60 | 24 | 6 | 556 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 91 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 65 | 63 | 66 | 68 | 68 | 62 | 72 | 74 | 79 | 77 | 74 | 70 | 70 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
The best time to visit Xi'an is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), when temperatures are mild (15–25°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city is vibrant with blooming flowers or golden foliage. These seasons offer the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and exploring Xi'an’s historical sites with fewer crowds.
The least favourable time to visit is in summer (July and August), when Xi'an is hottest and most humid, with frequent heavy rain and crowded attractions. Winter (December to February) is also less ideal for some travellers due to cold, dry weather, occasional snow, and shorter daylight hours, though it is quieter and more affordable.
Xi'an has a continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons: hot, humid summers, cold, dry winters, and mild, variable spring and autumn. Rainfall is concentrated in summer, while winters are dry and chilly.
Summer temperatures in Xi'an often reach 32–35°C, with peaks above 38°C in July and August. Nights are warm, humidity is high, and heavy rain or thunderstorms are frequent, especially in July.
Snow is rare in Xi'an but possible, especially in January and February. When it does snow, it is usually light and melts quickly, though cold snaps can bring frosty mornings.
Rain falls mainly from June to September, with July and August being the wettest months. Summer storms can be intense, but the rest of the year is relatively dry, especially in winter.
Pack warm, layered clothing for winter, including a windproof jacket. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a light jacket. For summer, light, breathable clothes, sun protection, and an umbrella are essential.
Xi'an is humid in summer and dry in winter. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms or dust events, especially in spring when dust storms may occur.
Spring and autumn are best for outdoor activities, with comfortable temperatures and pleasant weather. Summer is hot and rainy, while winter is cold and dry—better for indoor attractions or those who enjoy quieter travel.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (32.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (4.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 19.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (22 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-3.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 9.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (98.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is December (5.8 mm). Over the whole year there are 555.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is September (10.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is December (3.5 days). Over the whole year there are 90.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is September (79 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is June (61.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 69.8 %.
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: 9.1 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: 6.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is March (Average sunshine: 3 h). Over the whole year there are 4.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 11). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 7.
