If you’re planning a trip to Hangzhou during Christmas, get ready for cool, damp winter weather. Daytime temperatures usually hover around 10–13°C (50–55°F), and at night, they can drop close to 4–6°C (39–43°F).
The air feels crisp most days. Light layers and a warm jacket generally keep you comfortable as you explore the city.
Rain can happen, but December brings less rainfall than the muggy summer. Skies often stay overcast, though sometimes the sun breaks through and really lights up West Lake.
With shorter daylight hours, the city takes on a calm winter vibe. Evenings feel especially peaceful when the streets and lakeside paths quiet down.
Typical Weather Conditions in Hangzhou at Christmas
During Christmas, Hangzhou gets cool to chilly weather with short days and damp air. At night, temperatures drop noticeably, and you might see light rain or the occasional flurry, though snow is pretty rare.
You’ll likely face a mix of cloudy skies, moderate humidity, and a steady chill.
Average Temperatures in December
In December, average daytime highs in Hangzhou usually hit 8°C to 12°C (46°F to 54°F). Early December can feel a bit milder, but by the end of the month, things cool down to the lower end of that range.
Nighttime lows often fall between 2°C and 5°C (36°F to 41°F). Some nights get close to freezing, especially outside the city center.
This is the coldest stretch of the year in Hangzhou, so dress in layers. If you plan to be out in the evenings, you’ll want a warm coat, scarf, and gloves.
Common Weather Patterns
Most December days in Hangzhou are cloudy and damp. Rainfall is lighter than in summer, averaging about 45–55 mm (1.8–2.2 inches) for the month. Showers tend to be short, not all-day affairs.
Humidity usually hangs around 70–75%, which makes the air feel colder than the numbers suggest. Snow doesn’t visit often, but you might catch a few flurries—never much accumulation.
Winds stay light to moderate. The damp chill bites a bit more near West Lake or in open spaces. Expect more gray days than sunny ones, but occasionally the sky does clear up.
Daytime Versus Nighttime Conditions
Daytime stays cool but manageable, with highs near 10°C (50°F). Afternoons can feel pleasant enough for a stroll around West Lake if you’ve got a medium-weight coat.
Clouds are frequent, so sunshine is limited to about 3–4 hours per day on average.
At night, the temperature drops fast. Lows near 2–3°C (36°F–37°F) are pretty normal, and the dampness makes it feel even colder.
Indoor heating is common, but you’ll need heavier clothing if you’re outside after dark.
The difference between day and night temperatures is noticeable, so pack lighter layers for afternoons and heavier gear for evenings.
Precipitation and Rainfall Around Christmas
December in Hangzhou brings cooler, drier weather compared to the summer rainy season. Rain still happens, but there’s less of it, and snow is unlikely.
Average Rainfall in December
December is actually one of Hangzhou’s driest months. On average, expect about 60–65 mm of rainfall for the month, which is a far cry from the 300 mm in June.
Rain usually comes as light to moderate showers. It rarely pours for hours, so you can plan outdoor activities without much worry.
Hangzhou’s annual rainfall is about 1,500–1,600 mm, so December barely makes a dent in the yearly total. The drop in rainfall is a big shift from the summer monsoon.
Chance of Wet Days
Even though December is drier, you should still expect some rainy days. Usually, there are 10–12 days with measurable precipitation during the month.
Most rainy days just bring short, scattered showers. An umbrella or light rain jacket usually does the trick.
Wet days are less frequent than in spring or summer, when rain comes down harder and more often. Late December feels more stable for travel and sightseeing.
Snowfall Probability
Snow almost never shows up in Hangzhou, especially in December. The city’s climate is humid subtropical (Cfa), which means winter brings more rain than snow.
December temperatures average 8–13°C (46–55°F), staying above freezing most of the time. Cold snaps can happen, but they don’t stick around long enough for snow.
If snow falls, it’s light and melts fast. You’re much more likely to get cold rain than a white Christmas in Hangzhou.
So, don’t worry about snow when packing. Focus on layers and rain protection for the cool, damp conditions.
Wind and Humidity Levels During the Holiday Season
In December, Hangzhou’s weather shifts to its coldest and driest phase. Wind speeds stay low, but humidity sticks around, even when it’s cold.
These factors shape how the air feels and can affect your comfort during the holidays.
Average Wind Speed in December
Average wind speed in Hangzhou during December is modest, usually between 7 to 12 km/h (4 to 7 mph). Breezes show up but rarely get strong enough to bother you.
Winds usually come from the north or northwest, bringing cooler air into town.
Hangzhou doesn’t get wild winter gales like coastal cities. The wind stays steady and mild, so outdoor sightseeing feels manageable.
You might notice stronger gusts near West Lake, but city buildings block most of the wind downtown.
When you’re out walking, expect calm air with just a little movement in the trees. The lack of harsh wind makes the cold more bearable than in windier places.
Humidity Trends in Winter
Humidity in December hovers around 70–75%, which is high for a city with chilly winters. Rainfall is at its lowest, but the air still holds a lot of moisture.
This combination makes the cold feel more biting.
You’ll probably notice dampness, especially in the mornings and evenings. Fog can pop up, and low clouds often linger all day.
Because of the humidity, layering up matters, since the chill can cut right through.
If you’re visiting, get ready for cool, damp conditions instead of dry winter air. A warm jacket and breathable fabrics will help you stay comfortable as you explore.
Cloud Cover, Sunshine, and Daylight Hours
December skies in Hangzhou often look gray and muted, with short days and limited sunshine. Expect frequent clouds, less bright light, and noticeably shorter daylight compared to summer.
Typical Cloudiness in December
December is one of the cloudier months in Hangzhou. The winter season brings more cloud cover, making the city feel dim and subdued.
Most days, skies stay overcast or partly cloudy, so don’t count on much direct sunlight.
Summer months like July are sunnier, but winter skies stick to duller tones. Persistent clouds add to the damp feel, even though rainfall is lighter than in summer.
You’ll find fewer clear days, so plan for outdoor activities under gray skies. That’s just how late December goes in Hangzhou.
Average Daily Sunshine
Sunshine hours drop sharply in winter. In December, you usually get about 3 to 4 hours of sunshine per day.
That’s less than half of what you’d see in July, when the sun comes out strong.
Shorter days and lots of cloud cover limit the sun. Even when it does shine, the light feels softer and weaker.
The city can seem cooler than the thermometer says because of this.
If you’re visiting, don’t expect long stretches of sunshine. Instead, look for short bursts of light between cloudy spells.
Length of Daylight
Daylight hours hit their shortest in December. Around the winter solstice, you get about 10 hours per day, compared to over 14 hours in midsummer.
The sun usually rises after 6:30 a.m. and sets before 5:00 p.m.
This small window of light can affect your plans. Outdoor sightseeing often works better earlier in the day.
With early sunsets, evenings come fast, and lots of activities move indoors. When planning, keep the short days in mind to make the most of your time outside.
Weather Variability and Forecasting for Christmas
Christmas in Hangzhou lands right in the middle of the city’s cool, damp winter. Temperatures usually stay above freezing, but rain, clouds, and the occasional cold snap keep things unpredictable.
Weather Forecast Accuracy
When you check a Hangzhou weather forecast in December, you can usually trust it for the next 3–5 days. Temperature predictions are generally solid, with ranges between 3°C and 11°C (37°F–52°F).
Rainfall forecasts are trickier. December is the driest month, with about 49 mm of rain, but showers still show up. Sometimes the timing and intensity of rain are hard to pin down, so keep your outdoor plans flexible.
Long-range forecasts past a week get fuzzy. Seasonal outlooks might suggest cooler or wetter weather, but they can’t promise details for Christmas Day. To plan well, keep an eye on updates from local weather services, especially in the week before your trip.
Recent Christmas Weather Trends
In recent years, Hangzhou typically gets a damp chill around Christmas. Average highs sit near 8°C–11°C (46°F–52°F), and lows can dip to 3°C (37°F).
Snow almost never happens, but you might see a bit of morning frost.
Rain chances are moderate. December has fewer rainy days than summer, but humidity stays high, making the air feel colder.
Christmas weather has stayed pretty consistent—mild days, colder evenings, and more clouds than sun. If you plan to be outside, bring layers, a waterproof jacket, and comfy shoes for damp streets.
How Hangzhou’s Christmas Weather Compares to Other Months
Christmas in Hangzhou brings cool days, chilly nights, and lighter rainfall than most of the year. Temperatures sit in a middle range for the region—milder than deep winter, but cooler and drier than autumn.
Comparison with Autumn Weather
Autumn, especially October and early November, is often considered the best time to visit Hangzhou. Daytime highs then usually run between 18–23°C, with lower humidity and clearer skies.
Rainfall drops off compared to summer, but it’s still a bit higher than what you’d get in December.
By late December, average highs drop to 13°C and lows near 4°C. You’ll notice shorter days and less sunshine compared to October.
Rainfall averages about 62 mm in December, making it the driest month, while autumn months see 80–100 mm.
If you like crisp, cool air and less rain, Christmas weather feels more stable than autumn. Still, you lose the warmth and comfort of early fall. Autumn is better for outdoor sightseeing, while December leans toward cooler walks and more time indoors.
Comparison with January and February
January and February usually bring the coldest weather of the year in Hangzhou. Average highs drop to 8–10°C, and lows sometimes get close to 0°C. You might even spot some frost here and there.
Rainfall starts picking up again, often reaching over 80 mm each month.
December feels noticeably milder in comparison. You’ll get slightly warmer afternoons and not as much rain.
There’s also a bit more sunshine in December, while January tends to bring more gray, overcast days.
If you visit around Christmas, you can dodge that damp chill that rolls in after New Year. You’ll still want to dress in layers, but the weather’s usually less harsh and honestly just more pleasant for wandering the city than it is in the thick of winter.