When fall rolls into Nanjing, you can really feel the difference as the city shifts from that hot, sticky summer into cooler, drier days. Daytime highs drop from the low 80s°F in early September to the low 50s°F by late November, and nights cool off even faster. It’s a steady, gradual change, and honestly, autumn feels like one of the most pleasant times to be in the city.
As the temperatures ease down, the skies usually clear up and rain becomes less frequent. Early fall can still hang onto a bit of humidity, but by late November, the air feels crisp and dry. Days get shorter too, and you’ll notice sunsets sneaking up earlier every week.
All these shifts shape how people spend time outdoors and even affect the local growing season. If you’re planning a stroll along the Qinhuai River, visiting historic spots, or just want to pack the right clothes, it helps to know what to expect.
Overview of Nanjing’s Fall Climate
Nanjing’s autumn brings in cooler air, less rain, and clearer skies compared to the muggy summer. The city’s humid subtropical climate changes quickly, so fall ends up being a favorite for both locals and visitors.
Key Features of Autumn Weather
You’ll see daily highs drop from around 86°F (30°C) in early September to about 62°F (17°C) by late November. Nights cool off too, falling from about 74°F (23°C) to 49°F (9°C).
Rain tapers off as autumn goes on. September usually brings about 4–5 inches (100–120 mm) of rain, but by November, it’s closer to 2 inches (50 mm). The odds of a rainy day slide from nearly 40% at the start to about 14% by the end.
Humidity drops pretty quickly too. Early September can feel muggy, but by November, the air is drier and much more pleasant. Skies clear up as the season winds down.
Seasonal Transition and Duration
Autumn in Nanjing doesn’t last long—just under two months, really. The switch from summer to winter happens fast, and both temperature and daylight change a lot in just a few weeks.
Daylight shrinks from about 12 hours and 38 minutes in early September to 10 hours and 44 minutes by late November. Sunsets creep up earlier, and mornings get noticeably chillier.
Winds pick up a bit as the season goes, averaging 5–7 mph (9–12 km/h) and usually blowing in from the north. These breezes help make late autumn feel even cooler.
You could start September in shorts and end November reaching for a jacket.
Comparing Fall to Other Seasons
Fall in Nanjing is way less humid and much more comfortable for outdoor stuff than summer. Summer gets brutally hot, with plenty of rain and sticky air, but fall brings in cooler days and clearer skies.
Winter, though, is colder, with highs around 42–53°F (6–12°C) and the occasional frost. Snow isn’t common, but it does happen now and then.
Spring feels mild but gets more rain than fall, with lots of quick weather changes. Autumn’s usually the most stable, offering a nice balance of cooler temps, low humidity, and less rain.
For these reasons, a lot of people think fall is the best time to visit Nanjing or just hang out outside.
Average Temperatures in Fall
In Nanjing, fall means both daytime and nighttime temps keep dropping. Early on, it stays warm, but by late November, you’ll notice chilly mornings and a definite coolness in the air.
Monthly Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
During September, daytime highs hit around 29°C (84°F), and nighttime lows hover near 22°C (72°F). Early fall still feels warm and a bit humid.
By October, the average high drops to about 22°C (72°F), and lows fall to 13°C (55°F). You’ll feel the difference, especially in the mornings.
Come November, highs average 12°C (53°F), and nighttime lows get close to 4°C (38°F). At that point, you’ll want a jacket or sweater, especially after sunset.
This cooling month by month really shows how fast fall shifts toward winter.
Temperature Fluctuations and Extremes
Averages are helpful, but the day-to-day swings can be pretty wide. Early September sometimes brings highs near 32°C (90°F), while late November nights can dip close to 0°C (32°F).
You’ll want to dress in layers. Mornings might start off cool, then warm up, and cool down again quickly after dark.
Heat above 33°C (91°F) is rare in September, but it can happen. On the flip side, lows below -1°C (30°F) are uncommon before winter, though late November can surprise you.
All this variability keeps fall interesting in Nanjing.
Year-on-Year Temperature Trends
Long-term data shows Nanjing’s fall always brings a sharp cooldown. The average drop each season is about 17°C (31°F) for highs and 19°C (34°F) for lows.
Most years follow this pattern, but sometimes September stays warm longer, or October cools off early.
Even with small differences, the overall rhythm is reliable. You’ll move from muggy late summer to crisp, dry late fall in about three months.
That predictability makes it easier to plan trips, pack clothes, and schedule outdoor time.
Rainfall and Humidity Patterns
Fall in Nanjing breaks away from the heavy summer rains and muggy air, shifting into a drier, more comfortable season. Rain drops off fast, and humidity eases up, making it much nicer to be outside.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
Rainfall drops sharply as autumn goes on. Early September still gets leftover summer moisture, with totals near 160 mm (6.3 in). By November, monthly rainfall usually falls below 40 mm (1.5 in).
Rainy days become less frequent. September might bring rain on 10–12 days, but by late November, you’ll only see about 2–3 wet days. The city feels noticeably different from the start to the end of fall.
Summer can bring over 200 mm (8 in) of rain each month, so autumn feels much drier. It’s actually one of the driest stretches of the year in Nanjing’s climate.
Humidity Levels in Autumn
Humidity drops off, too. Early September can feel sticky, with dew points near 22°C (72°F), but by November, dew points fall to about 12°C (54°F). The air feels much more comfortable.
The odds of muggy days shrink fast. In September, almost every day feels humid, but by late November, it’s only about 1 in 10 days. That’s one reason people love outdoor activities in fall.
Lower humidity also means better visibility and less of that sticky, uncomfortable feeling you get in summer. Whether you live here or you’re just visiting, you’ll probably enjoy walking around a lot more.
Comparison to Rainy and Dry Seasons
If you compare fall to other times of year, the difference stands out. Summer is Nanjing’s wettest, with lots of rain and high humidity. June through August can bring more than 600 mm (24 in) combined.
Winter is drier but gets cold. Monthly rainfall in December and January is often less than 30 mm (1 in), but chilly temps and frost make it less inviting.
Fall sits right in the middle. You skip the heat and rain of summer and avoid the cold of winter. With lighter rain and dropping humidity, autumn really is one of the best times for Nanjing’s climate.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
During fall in Nanjing, sunshine and daylight hours shift pretty steadily. You’ll see shorter days, fewer hours of direct sun, and more variety in cloud cover compared to summer. These changes can shape how you experience the city, especially if you love being outdoors.
Average Daily Sunshine
September usually brings about 5.5 to 6 hours of sunshine per day. That’s still plenty for sightseeing or outdoor plans. By October, the average dips to around 5 hours daily, and November brings it down to about 4 hours.
This drop comes from both shorter days and more clouds. Sunshine hours are still better than winter, but you’ll notice the difference.
If you’re into photography or outdoor tours, early fall gives you the best light. By late fall, overcast skies become more common, and daylight feels a bit limited.
Daylight Duration Changes
Day length drops quickly in autumn. In early September, you get about 12 hours and 30 minutes of daylight. By late November, it’s down to roughly 10 hours and 20 minutes.
| Month | Approx. Daylight Hours |
|---|---|
| September | 12h 30m – 11h 50m |
| October | 11h 50m – 10h 50m |
| November | 10h 50m – 10h 20m |
This steady decrease means mornings start later, and evenings come faster. If you want longer days for activities, September is your best bet. By November, it’s smart to plan things around midday.
Shorter daylight also means temps drop faster in the evening.
Cloud Cover and Visibility
Clouds increase as fall goes on. September has more clear or partly sunny days, but October and November see more overcast weather. That cuts down on direct sunlight and can make afternoons feel a bit dim.
Visibility is good in early fall, but haze and fog start to show up more by late fall, especially in the mornings. This can affect your view of the Yangtze River or the hills around town.
If you’re planning to be outside, expect clearer skies earlier in the season. Later on, it’s smart to carry a light jacket, since cloudy days feel cooler.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
In autumn, Nanjing feels calmer than in spring or summer. Winds die down, air pressure stays steady, and skies clear up as rain decreases. These things all affect how comfortable you feel outdoors and even the air you breathe.
Typical Wind Speeds
Winds in fall are pretty gentle. Average speeds sit around 3 mph, lower than the gusts you get in spring. You can walk along the Qinhuai River or visit outdoor markets without worrying about strong winds.
You probably won’t need to worry about wind chill, even as the temps drop from early fall into November. Breezes do pop up, but they’re usually brief and mild.
This calm weather makes cycling or sightseeing outdoors easier and safer than during the windier months of March through May. If wind bothers you, autumn is a great season in the city.
Air Pressure Trends
Air pressure stays steady in Nanjing during fall. It averages about 761 inHg, with only minor daily changes. You’re unlikely to get those sudden shifts that can trigger headaches or joint pain.
This steadiness helps keep the overall weather calm. With fewer storms than in summer, the pressure doesn’t jump around much, so skies clear and humidity drops.
Travelers benefit too, with fewer weather-related delays for flights or trains. You can count on more predictable days, which makes planning easier.
Air Quality Considerations
Air quality usually improves in the fall compared to summer. Lower humidity and lighter winds help disperse pollutants, and with less rain, you get fewer days with heavy smog trapped near the ground.
Sometimes in October, you might notice haze if there’s agricultural burning nearby, but these episodes don’t last long.
If air pollution bothers you, it’s still smart to check daily air quality reports. Most fall days, though, bring clearer skies and easier breathing—definitely better than winter, when coal heating bumps up emissions.
Fall Weather Impact on Local Life
Cooler temperatures, less rainfall, and clearer skies really shape how people in Nanjing spend their time in the fall. These changes influence travel choices, cultural activities, and how you might want to prepare for daily life outdoors.
Travel and Outdoor Activities
Fall feels like one of the best times to explore Nanjing. Daily highs start around 29°C in early September and drop to about 12°C by late November, so long walks and sightseeing don’t feel as exhausting as in the sticky summer.
You can visit outdoor landmarks like the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, walk the Purple Mountain trails, or relax by the Qinhuai River without sweating buckets. Since rain chances go down as the season moves on, your plans are less likely to get interrupted.
Air quality usually gets better compared to summer, and the lower humidity makes the air feel crisp, not heavy. Cycling, hiking, or taking a boat ride suddenly seem a lot more appealing. If you’re not a fan of crowds, you might want to wait until later in the season when things get quieter as temperatures drop.
Seasonal Events and Scenery
Fall brings some pretty striking changes to the city’s scenery. Maple and ginkgo trees around Purple Mountain and campus spots like Nanjing University turn bright red and yellow, drawing plenty of visitors with cameras in hand.
Cultural events tend to match the mood of the season. The Mid-Autumn Festival usually lands in September or October, when families gather outdoors to share mooncakes and check out lantern displays. Parks and riverside areas fill up with people for these celebrations.
Local markets start selling seasonal produce like chestnuts, persimmons, and sweet potatoes. People tie these foods to autumn traditions, and you’ll spot them in both street snacks and home-cooked meals. Cooler evenings make night markets and outdoor dining way more comfortable.
Recommended Clothing and Preparation
Get ready for a wide temperature range. Early fall usually feels warm, so you’ll want lightweight clothes during the day. Evenings cool down, though, and you might feel a chill. By November, I always reach for sweaters, jackets, and long pants to stay comfortable.
Rainfall drops off, but you can still get caught in a quick shower. I’d toss a compact umbrella in your bag, especially if you’re visiting in September. Shoes with good grip make walking in parks or on wet paths much easier.
Humidity drops fast as the season goes on, and your skin might start to feel dry. If you’re sensitive to dry air, pack some moisturizer and lip balm. Honestly, dressing in layers is the easiest way to adapt as the weather shifts from mild to chilly.