Shanghai · WinterMonth summary
Shanghai weather in January
⚠️ Fair
🌡️ Temperature min / max
36°F – 48°F
🌧 Rainy days
26% of days
☀️ Sunshine
7.5h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
4.7/10
📅 📅 Best month
September (7.7/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Shanghai in January?
⚠️ Fair
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: January is a difficult time for Shanghai. September (7.7/10) is much more favourable.
By trip type
Shanghai in January by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ❌ Not recommended
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in January
Winter in Shanghai is cool (9°F during the day). Days are short (7.5h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 26% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌫️ January | 36°F | 48°F | 26% | 0.1in | 7.5h | 4.7/10 |
| 🌫️ February | 37°F | 50°F | 31% | 0.1in | 7.9h | 4.8/10 |
| ⛅ March | 45°F | 59°F | 33% | 0.1in | 8.9h | 6.7/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 54°F | 68°F | 32% | 0.1in | 9.6h | 7.3/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 61°F | 77°F | 37% | 0.2in | 9.7h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌦️ June | 70°F | 82°F | 57% | 0.3in | 7.7h | 7.3/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 79°F | 90°F | 59% | 0.3in | 11.0h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 79°F | 90°F | 48% | 0.2in | 12.0h | 7.3/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 72°F | 82°F | 48% | 0.2in | 10.0h | 7.7/10 |
| 🌤️ October | 61°F | 72°F | 25% | 0.1in | 8.6h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ November | 50°F | 64°F | 28% | 0.1in | 8.0h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌫️ December | 39°F | 52°F | 20% | 0.1in | 8.7h | 6.1/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In January, Shanghai averages 48°F, 26% rainy days and 7.5h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 4.7/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
January vs September (best month)
The best month is September (score 7.7/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +19°F
- 🌧 Rainy days : +22%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +2.5h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Shanghai in January
Is January a good time to visit Shanghai?
January is not recommended for Shanghai (score 4.7/10). With 26% rainy days and 7.5h of sunshine, consider September (7.7/10) instead.
What's the weather like in Shanghai in January?
It's cool with 48°F daytime and 36°F at night. 7.5h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Shanghai
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