What September feels like in Shanghai
For Shanghai, September is early autumn on the calendar. Afternoons are warm and pleasant, good for long days out. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights stay warm and the temperature hardly changes after dark. High humidity makes the heat feel heavier and sticky, especially on still afternoons.
Rain in Shanghai in September
Rain is part of normal life this month, falling on about one day in 2. Rain tends to come in heavy bursts: about 10.7 mm (0.4 in) on an average rainy day. The yearly figure is similar, around 10.1 mm per wet day. It is among the three wettest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in September
Mid-month, Shanghai gets 12 h 24 min of daylight, from sunrise near 5:37 am to sunset near 6:01 pm. Evenings are drawing in — 55 min less daylight than mid-August. About 67% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, there are plenty of bright spells.
How September compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, September comes out as the 3rd warmest month in Shanghai. Afternoons run 4.3°C (7.7°F) cooler than in August, with 11 mm more rain. October is cooler again. The next month's average high: 22.9°C (73.2°F).
Who September suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — comfortable enough to explore on foot all day.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — afternoons are too warm to linger outside.
- Beach: less ideal — too many rainy days.
Tips for visiting Shanghai in September
Rain Protection
A packable rain jacket saves the day on showery afternoons.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Shanghai in September?
Afternoons average 27.6°C (81.7°F) and nights about 21.8°C (71.2°F) — warm by most people's standards. It is the 3rd warmest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Shanghai in September?
Yes, fairly — rain falls about one day in 2 and totals about 139 mm, so an umbrella is worth carrying.
What should I wear in Shanghai in September?
The numbers point to rain protection and sunglasses. There is little need to change for the evening.
Is September or October better for visiting Shanghai?
October scores better on our climate ranking (#1 of 12 vs #6), rated Great against Good. October is cooler and has fewer rainy days.