Shanghai Weather in January

What January feels like in Shanghai

January is the coldest stretch of winter in Shanghai. Days are chilly rather than freezing, and walking is comfortable with a proper jacket. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cold and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Damp air makes the cold feel rawer than the numbers alone suggest.

Rain in Shanghai in January

Wet days are occasional rather than regular, about one day in 4. Wet days average about 7.7 mm (0.3 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 10.1 mm per rainy day. It is among the three driest months of the year.

Daylight and sunshine in January

In mid-January, sunrise is at about 6:53 am and sunset at about 5:12 pm (local time) — 10 h 19 min of daylight. Days are getting longer: 11 min more daylight than in mid-December. Measured sunshine covers about 62% of the daylight — there are plenty of bright spells.

How January compares to the rest of the year

January is the coolest month of the year in Shanghai. Afternoons run 2.1°C (3.8°F) cooler than in December, with 16 mm more rain. This is the low point, and February starts to warm up. The next month's average high: 10.2°C (50.4°F).

Who January suits

• Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
• Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
• Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.

Tips for visiting Shanghai in January

Quick questions