If you’re planning a trip to Dalian in the fall, you’re stepping into what’s probably the city’s most comfortable season. The heavy summer rains finally let up, the air gets crisp, and the skies often stay clear.
You’ll get mild temperatures, lower humidity, and less rain—autumn is honestly one of the best times to enjoy Dalian.
From September through November, the weather shifts gradually. It goes from warm, late-summer days to the cool edge of winter. September still hangs onto a bit of rain from the monsoon season.
By October and November, things get drier and more stable. This balance makes it ideal for exploring the coastline or wandering through city parks.
Fall also means shorter daylight hours and cooler evenings. Sea temperatures drop steadily. These changes make the season feel refreshing but not too harsh, showing off how Dalian moves from summer’s heat to winter’s chill.
Overview of Fall Weather in Dalian
Fall in Dalian brings a steady cooling trend. Days get shorter, and the weather shifts from humid and sticky to drier and windier.
You’ll see mild to cool temperatures in September. By late November, it’s much closer to winter. Rainfall drops off quickly, skies clear up, and winds pick up.
Typical Autumn Climate Patterns
Dalian sits on the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, surrounded by the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea. This coastal spot does moderate the climate, but fall still brings sharp seasonal changes.
Humidity drops fast after summer, so the air feels much drier. Rain becomes less common, with the chance of a wet day falling from about 21% in early September to 7% by late November.
Cloud cover decreases too. Early autumn skies might be partly cloudy, but by mid-October, you’ll notice clearer days. Around October 19, you get some of the clearest skies, at least according to the records.
Winds pick up as fall goes on. Average speeds climb from about 9 mph in September to over 15 mph in November, mostly blowing from the north. That wind makes late fall feel colder than you’d expect from the numbers.
Temperature Trends from September to November
Temperatures in Dalian drop pretty steadily through fall. In early September, daytime highs hit around 80°F (27°C), and nights stay mild near 69°F (21°C).
By October, highs usually reach the 60s°F (15–20°C), and evenings dip into the 40s°F (5–10°C). These are great conditions for being outside, especially since humidity drops as well.
November takes a sharper dive. Average highs fall to about 42°F (6°C), and lows get close to 30°F (-1°C). Frost becomes common, and the growing season ends around mid-November.
So, if you’re visiting, plan for layers. A light jacket works in September, but by November, you’ll want a heavier coat.
Comparison with Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall is cooler, less humid, and much drier. Summer gets most of its rain between May and September, with July and August being the wettest.
By late November, fall averages less than an inch of rain.
Winter in Dalian is colder and even drier than fall. Snow doesn’t happen often but it’s possible, and strong north winds dominate. Daytime highs in winter usually stay below freezing.
Spring warms up more slowly, with temperatures rising from March onward. But it can be windier and dustier because of northern airflows, while fall usually feels clearer and more stable.
Fall really stands out as a transition season. The air is crisp, skies are clearer, and both rainfall and humidity drop compared to the rest of the year.
Average Fall Temperatures
In Dalian, fall brings a steady drop in both daytime highs and nighttime lows. The season starts out warm and humid in early September, but by late November, it’s much cooler and drier.
Historical weather data shows this transition happens pretty much every year.
Monthly Daytime and Nighttime Averages
Daytime highs in September usually reach the upper 80s°F (around 31°C) at the beginning of the month. By the end, they cool to the mid 70s°F (24°C).
October is milder, with highs from 70°F (21°C) down to the mid 60s°F (18°C). By November, daytime temps often settle between 55–60°F (13–16°C).
Nighttime lows follow a similar path. In early September, evenings stay near 78°F (25°C), which still feels pretty humid. By October, lows cool into the 60s°F (16–18°C), and by late November they drop further to around 50–55°F (10–13°C).
This steady decline means packing layers is smart. A light jacket is fine in September, but by November you’ll probably need a heavier coat for the evenings.
Temperature Fluctuations and Extremes
Fall in Dalian is known for its gradual cooling, but you might still catch a short warm spell or a sudden cool snap. Early September can sometimes hit highs above 90°F (32°C), while late November can bring cooler days near 50°F (10°C).
Temperatures rarely fall below 50°F (10°C) in the fall, so frost doesn’t usually show up before winter. Heat above 93°F (34°C) is also pretty rare after summer ends.
Daily temperature swings get more noticeable as fall goes on. In September, days and nights aren’t that far apart, but by November, the difference between afternoon highs and evening lows can hit 10–15°F (5–8°C). That’s a pretty clear sign that winter’s coming and days are getting shorter.
Rainfall Patterns During Fall
Rainfall in Dalian during fall shifts from the heavy summer downpours to much lighter amounts by late autumn. You’ll notice both less rain overall and fewer rainy days, which shows how the city moves from a monsoon-driven climate to something drier and cooler.
Monthly Precipitation Amounts
September still holds onto some of that summer monsoon moisture. On average, you’ll get about 60 mm of rainfall for the month. That’s a big drop from July and August, when totals often go over 140 mm.
By October, rainfall drops again, averaging about 30–40 mm. November is even drier, with totals under 20 mm—the driest part of the season.
These changes match up with historical data. Once summer ends, Dalian quickly shifts from wet and humid to much drier in just a few weeks.
Number of Rainy Days
The number of rainy days drops along with the totals. In September, you might still see 3–5 days with measurable rain, though these showers are shorter and less intense than in midsummer.
By October, rainy days drop to 2–3, and the rain is usually lighter. November averages only 1–2 rainy days, and some years it barely rains at all.
This pattern makes fall a great season for outdoor plans. You’re less likely to get rained out, and the showers that do happen rarely last a whole day.
Transition from Summer Monsoon to Autumn
The shift from summer to fall in Dalian happens as the East Asian monsoon loses strength. In summer, moist air from the Pacific brings heavy rain, but by September, those systems weaken.
As winds change and drier continental air takes over, rainfall drops fast. That’s why September can still feel humid, but October and November are much drier and clearer.
This change also marks the start of Dalian’s cooler season. You’ll notice not just less rain but also a drop in humidity, making things way more comfortable than the sticky summer months.
Humidity and Atmospheric Conditions
During fall in Dalian, the air gets noticeably drier as temperatures cool and the summer moisture fades away. Winds get stronger too, which really shapes how comfortable or brisk it feels outside.
Relative Humidity Levels in Autumn
In early September, you’ll still feel some leftover summer humidity—muggy days are common. By mid to late October, the air dries out quickly. By November, most days feel crisp, not damp.
The dew point drops steadily, making it easier for sweat to evaporate and for you to feel comfortable. For example, the chance of muggy conditions falls from over 50% in early fall to almost 0% by late November. That’s one of the biggest seasonal shifts you’ll notice.
Humidity also changes how the air feels. Even with mild temperatures, higher humidity in early fall can make it feel warmer. By November, the dry air often feels cooler than the thermometer shows.
If you’re sensitive to dampness, you’ll probably find October and November are better for outdoor activities than September.
Fog and Wind Trends
Fog doesn’t really cause problems in Dalian during fall, but you might see the occasional misty morning, especially near the coast. These clear up quickly once the sun’s up.
Winds become a real feature of the season. Average speeds go from about 9 mph in September to more than 15 mph by late November. The wind comes mainly from the north, bringing in cooler, drier air.
That extra wind can make late autumn feel colder than the numbers suggest. If you’re visiting, pack something wind-resistant, especially if you’ll be near the coast where gusts are stronger.
The stronger winds also help clear out haze, so air quality usually gets better compared to the humid summer.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
In Dalian, fall brings shorter days and a gradual drop in sunshine compared to summer. You’ll definitely notice the difference between September and November as daylight fades and daily sunshine hours shift with the season.
Average Daily Sunshine
During fall, Dalian usually gets 6 to 8 hours of sunshine per day. September tends to be brighter, averaging close to 7.5–8 hours daily. By November, it’s down to about 6 hours.
That decline follows the natural seasonal pattern as the region moves from late summer warmth to early winter chill. The coast helps keep cloud cover from getting too heavy, but you’ll still see some overcast days, especially when cold fronts roll through.
On average, Dalian gets about 2,700–2,770 hours of sunshine per year, so fall is still pretty sunny compared to many northern cities. October often brings the clearest skies, with crisp air and steady light through the day.
Seasonal Changes in Daylight
Daylight hours shorten fast in fall. In early September, the sun’s up before 6:00 a.m. and sets around 6:15 p.m., giving you about 12.5 hours of daylight.
By late November, sunrise is closer to 6:45 a.m., and sunset arrives before 5:00 p.m., so you’re left with just under 10.5 hours.
You lose about two hours of daylight over the season. The change is most obvious in October, when days shrink by nearly 1.5 minutes each day.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, September gives you the longest daylight window. By November, you’ll need to start earlier since it gets dark pretty quickly. That steady drop in daylight is a big part of autumn’s feel in Dalian.
Snowfall and Early Winter Weather
Dalian’s fall usually wraps up with dry, chilly weather instead of heavy snow. The city’s spot on the coast and its continental climate mean that early winter is cold and windy, but snow is rare and usually holds off until later.
First Snowfall Timing
In Dalian, you usually see the first measurable snow late in the fall or early winter, most often in late November or December. Sometimes, snow might fall earlier, but that’s pretty rare since autumn tends to stay fairly dry.
The Bohai Sea keeps temperatures more moderate, so early snow doesn’t stick around for long. November days typically stay above 10 °C (50 °F), though at night, it can dip close to freezing.
By December, the daily average drops to about -1 °C to 3 °C, which makes snow a bit more likely. When it does snow, it’s usually just light flurries or quick, fleeting showers.
Honestly, you shouldn’t count on deep snow in autumn. The season’s just too dry compared to winter. Some years, barely any measurable snow falls before December at all.
Autumn Snowfall Amounts
Dalian barely gets any autumn snow compared to inland cities at the same latitude. Precipitation stays pretty low during this season.
In November, you’ll see only about 20 mm, and December drops to around 8 mm. Most of that comes down as rain or just a touch of light snow.
You probably won’t run into travel problems from snow in the fall. Roads almost always stay clear, and snow just doesn’t pile up enough to mess with your plans.
If you’re planning a visit, get ready for dry air, brisk winds, and sometimes a bit of dust. Heavy snow? Not really.
Early winter storms can show up, but they’re not the norm, and they usually don’t last long. Honestly, late fall in Dalian feels a lot more about cold winds than any kind of snowy scene.