Spring in Guangzhou really shifts from mild to warm, making it one of the nicer times to check out the city. Average daytime temperatures climb from the upper 50s °F (about 14°C) in early March to the upper 70s °F (around 25°C) by late May.
This change brings comfortable weather for wandering city streets, browsing outdoor markets, or heading out to nearby parks.
You’ll notice the season gets wetter as the weeks go by. Early spring stays mostly dry, but by May, heavy showers show up a lot as the region heads into the summer rainy season.
Warm air and rising humidity give Guangzhou that unmistakable subtropical vibe, which shapes everything from how you feel outside to what you’ll want to do around town.
Besides temperature and rain, other factors like wind, cloud cover, and daylight hours also matter for the spring atmosphere.
If you want to enjoy local festivals, try seasonal foods, or just spend more time outside, knowing these patterns definitely helps.
Overview of Spring Weather in Guangzhou
Spring in Guangzhou means temperatures go up, humidity rises, and rain starts falling more often.
You’ll get mild or warm days early on, and by late spring, things feel wetter and stickier. Cloudy skies are pretty common, and thunderstorms start popping up more by the end of the season.
Typical Spring Climate Patterns
From March to May, average daily highs go from about 22°C (72°F) in March to 30°C (86°F) in May.
Nighttime lows rise too, from around 15°C (59°F) to 23°C (73°F). This steady warming makes early spring pleasant, but the humidity creeps in fast.
Rain becomes a big deal. March sees about 100 mm of rain, but May often gets over 300 mm.
Showers are frequent, and thunderstorms start showing up by mid-March. By May, heavy downpours can hit, usually late in the day.
Cloud cover is hard to miss. Early spring skies are often gray, sometimes with drizzle or fog.
By late spring, you’ll get more sun breaks, but humidity and storms ramp up fast.
Spring Weather Compared to Other Seasons
Spring bridges the gap between Guangzhou’s mild, dry winter and the hot, wet summer.
In winter, highs sit around 19–21°C (66–70°F) with not much rain. Summer brings highs of 32–33°C (90–91°F), extreme humidity, and frequent storms.
Compared to autumn, spring feels cloudier and wetter. Autumn (October and November) usually means more sun and less rain, with highs near 25–29°C (77–84°F).
Spring, though, is marked by unpredictable weather and higher humidity.
The sea warms up too. In March, water averages 21.5°C (71°F), which still feels chilly for a swim.
By May, it hits 26°C (79°F), so coastal activities get a lot more comfortable.
Notable Weather Events in Spring
Spring often brings the first thunderstorms of the year.
These storms can be short but intense, with heavy rain, lightning, and the occasional strong wind gust. Flooding sometimes happens in low-lying spots after heavy rain.
Fog and mist show up a lot in March, especially in the mornings. This can mess with visibility on roads and at airports.
Typhoons don’t usually hit in spring, but every now and then, one forms as early as April or May. These are rare, but they can bring a few days of heavy rain and strong winds.
Average Daytime Temperature in Spring
Spring in Guangzhou means afternoons warm up fast, shifting from mild to nearly hot by the end of the season.
You’ll notice clear differences between early and late spring, and between daytime highs and cooler nights.
Monthly Temperature Trends
In March, average daytime temps reach around 69°F (20°C), which feels great for being outside.
By April, things heat up quickly, with daily highs climbing to about 78–82°F (25–28°C).
May is a different story. Daytime temperatures average close to 86–87°F (30–31°C), which is almost summer-like.
The jump from March to May is about 18°F (10°C), so spring warms up fast in Guangzhou.
This rapid warming fits the city’s subtropical climate, where heat builds right after winter.
If you’re planning to visit, expect March to feel comfortable and May to feel pretty hot and humid.
Day vs. Night Temperature Differences
Both daytime highs and nighttime lows rise during spring, but the difference between them isn’t huge.
In March, nights can cool down to about 57°F (14°C), while afternoons hit the upper 60s.
That’s a 10–12 degree swing, so evenings feel cooler but not chilly.
By April, nights average around 66°F (19°C), and daytime highs reach the upper 70s.
The difference narrows a bit, and evenings start to feel warmer and a little muggy.
In May, nights average 74–76°F (23–24°C), so there’s not much relief after hot afternoons near 87°F.
By late spring, Guangzhou feels warm almost non-stop, with little cooling overnight.
Temperature Extremes During Spring
Averages are helpful, but extremes matter too.
In early spring, daytime temperatures rarely dip below 54°F (12°C). Cold snaps are rare, but they do happen in March.
On the flip side, late spring can see highs near 93°F (34°C). Early heat waves sometimes hit in May, bringing summer-like conditions.
Most afternoons stay between 70°F and 87°F, so spring in Guangzhou really is a season of transition—mild at first, then suddenly hot.
Rainy Days and Precipitation
Spring in Guangzhou means rainfall ramps up as the city moves out of the dry winter and into the wet season.
By April and May, you’ll see heavier showers, more cloudy days, and rising humidity.
Monthly Rainfall Amounts
Rainfall jumps a lot from March to May.
March usually gets around 80–100 mm, which isn’t bad compared to what comes next.
By April, totals often go above 200 mm, signaling the start of the rainy season.
May is the wettest spring month, averaging 280–300 mm, more than triple what March sees.
This shows how fast things change. Winter’s dry spell ends abruptly, and by mid-spring, afternoons and evenings are way wetter.
Rain usually comes in short, heavy bursts instead of long, gentle showers.
Here’s a quick look at average monthly rainfall:
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| March | ~80–100 |
| April | ~200 |
| May | ~280–300 |
Frequency of Rainy Days
Rainy days get more common as spring goes on.
In March, you might get 7–8 rainy days. By April, that jumps to 12–14 days.
May is the rainiest, with about 15–17 days of measurable rain.
Even though it rains often, it rarely pours all day.
Showers usually hit in the afternoon or evening, so mornings can be clearer.
If you plan outdoor stuff, mornings are usually your best bet.
Humidity climbs along with the rain. By late spring, the air feels damp, and dry breaks between showers get shorter.
This mix of frequent rain and high humidity means summer’s wet season is right around the corner.
Impact of Rain on Outdoor Activities
Spring rain changes how you plan your day.
Sudden downpours can mess up sightseeing, walking tours, or eating outside.
A light rain jacket or umbrella is a must, especially in April and May.
Parks and riverfront spots might feel less inviting during wet spells.
Trails can get muddy, and heavy rain can cut visibility. But storms usually pass quickly, so you’ll often get dry stretches the same day.
If you’re flexible, you can still enjoy a lot.
Indoor picks like museums, shopping malls, and local restaurants are great options when it’s pouring. Mixing up your schedule helps you make the most of clear mornings and rainy afternoons.
Relative Humidity and Comfort Levels
Spring in Guangzhou brings a lot of moisture in the air, and that really affects how warm—or sticky—you feel.
When temperatures rise and humidity stays high, the season can feel way warmer than the numbers suggest.
Average Humidity by Month
During spring, relative humidity in Guangzhou stays high.
In March, it’s usually around 77–80%. By April, it peaks near 84%, which is about as high as it gets all year.
In May, it sticks at about 82–83%.
So, even as temps go from the low 20s °C in March to nearly 30°C in May, the air never really feels dry.
You’ll notice a dampness, and rooms can feel stuffy if they’re not well-ventilated.
| Month | Average Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| March | ~77–80% |
| April | ~84% |
| May | ~82–83% |
These high numbers come with the start of the wet season.
Frequent rain and cloudy skies trap moisture, so humidity just stays up there.
Humidity Effects on Daily Life
High humidity changes how you experience spring in Guangzhou.
Even mild temps can feel hotter because sweat doesn’t cool you down as easily.
Outdoor activities get more tiring, especially in the afternoons.
Laundry dries slower, and rooms can feel damp unless you keep the air moving.
Mold pops up more often, so dehumidifiers or just opening windows can help.
If you’re visiting, pack light, breathable clothes and always have an umbrella handy.
These little steps make daily life and sightseeing way more comfortable, even with all that moisture in the air.
Wind Speed and Atmospheric Conditions
Spring in Guangzhou means wind and air quality change steadily.
You’ll feel mild breezes that shift as the season moves along, plus more humidity and cloud cover as spring heads toward summer.
All these things affect comfort, visibility, and what you can do outside.
Typical Spring Wind Patterns
In spring, winds in Guangzhou mostly come from the east and southeast.
This shift marks the change from the dry winter monsoon to the wet summer monsoon.
Winds bring in more moisture, which explains the jump in cloudiness and rain.
You’ll usually feel gentle to moderate breezes. Average wind speeds stick between 7 to 12 km/h (4 to 7 mph).
Stronger gusts sometimes show up when cold fronts pass in early spring, but that’s not too common.
Humidity climbs fast during this time.
Moist air and steady breezes can make afternoons feel warmer than the actual temperature.
If you’re traveling, expect damp air and sometimes hazy skies, especially in March and April.
Monthly Wind Speed Variations
March tends to have slightly higher wind speeds than later months.
Cold air from the north still comes through, and gusts can hit 15 km/h (9 mph) during passing fronts.
These breezy spells don’t last long, but they can drop visibility.
By April, winds settle down and average around 8 to 10 km/h (5 to 6 mph).
The wind comes more from the southeast, carrying warm, humid air from the South China Sea.
In May, winds get even lighter, often below 8 km/h (5 mph).
At the same time, humidity peaks, and the air feels heavier.
This slower airflow, plus frequent rain, makes for a muggy environment—something to keep in mind if you’re planning to be outside.
Additional Weather Factors in Spring
It’s not just about temperature and rain.
Pay attention to sunlight, cloud cover, sea temperatures, and air quality too.
These details shape how comfortable it feels to be outside and might affect your travel plans.
Sunshine Hours and Cloud Cover
In Guangzhou, spring usually means you’ll see more and more clouds. Early March can feel pretty clear, but by May, overcast days really take over. The odds of running into cloudy or mostly cloudy skies jump from about one-third of the time in March to almost four-fifths by late spring.
Sunshine hours change right along with the clouds. March and April tend to give you around 6 sunny days per month. By the time May rolls around, you might only get 3 sunny days. So, if you’re hoping for outdoor sightseeing in May, you’ll probably need to stay flexible because those gloomy skies and rain pop up a lot.
You’ll also notice the days getting longer. In March, daylight lasts about 11.7 to 12.4 hours. By May, days stretch out to 13.0 to 13.5 hours. Still, despite the extra daylight, the thick clouds later in spring cut down on how much direct sunlight you actually see.
Sea Temperature and Air Quality
The South China Sea warms up pretty quickly in spring. Average sea temperatures jump from around 20°C in March to about 26°C in May.
As the season moves along, coastal trips and river cruises just feel more comfortable. When the water gets warmer, the humidity also goes up, and honestly, you’ll really start to notice that sticky air in late spring.
In spring, air quality in Guangzhou usually improves compared to winter. Cold air in winter tends to trap particulates, so spring feels fresher.
But then again, as April and May roll in, humidity and pollen rise. If you’ve got allergies, you might feel a bit uncomfortable.
Sometimes, the mix of humidity, warm air, and a bit of smog makes the outdoors feel kind of heavy. If you plan your activities for the morning or evening, when it’s cooler and the air’s a bit clearer, you’ll probably feel a lot better.