Shanghai Weather in January 2026: what to expect (4.1/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in January

Winter in Shanghai is cool (9.0°F during the day). Days are short (3.7h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 26.0% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.

January ranks 11 out of 12 months in Shanghai. Compared to December: −4°F daytime, 6 pts more rainy days.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index

4 · moderate

protect during midday hours

Feels like

dry air

1°

Daylight

10.2h of daylight

Air quality

poor

AQI 102

Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Shanghai is May (7.8/10), 3.7 pts higher than January.

See May →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Shanghai plays its role as economic capital of modern China: futuristic Pudong skyline, colonial Bund heritage, 26 million inhabitants. May and October are my favorite months (8.0/10): 61-77°F, 25-37% rain, mild temperatures between summer heatwave and damp winter.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Shanghai

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Shanghai

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.

Country · China

🗣️LanguageMandarin

💶CurrencyYuan renminbi (¥)

🚗DrivingRight-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic

📈Climate trend ⓘ+2.55°F/decade

🔥Hottest monthJuly · 90°F

❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 48°F

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘJuly · 59%

🏖️ Beach trip

📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept

🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée

Explore

Other destinations in January

If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

Nearby

JejuSouth Korea538 km

Other top picks

← December February →

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Shanghai ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

China

Temperate oceanic climate with a 7.8 → 4.1 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

31.23°N · 121.47°E

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Shanghai?

May is the best month with 77°F highs, 61°F lows, 5.5h of sunshine and 37.0% rainy days. The months of May & September offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Shanghai get in May?

Shanghai averages 5.5 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.3/10.

What is the rainiest month in Shanghai?

January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Shanghai in May?

In May, overnight lows reach 61°F, while afternoon highs average 77°F.

Is Shanghai good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Shanghai scores 4.0/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 7.3/10.

When should you avoid Shanghai?

January is the most difficult month to visit Shanghai, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Do you need sun protection in Shanghai in January?

The average UV index reaches 4 in January in Shanghai (moderate), with about 10.2h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.