Winter in Hangzhou really shakes up the city’s subtropical climate. You’ll feel cold, damp weather, with average temperatures often just a notch above freezing.
Snow doesn’t show up all that often, but when it does, it gives places like West Lake a peaceful, almost magical vibe. The crowds thin out, so you get more room to wander and take it all in at your own pace.
December usually brings the driest stretch, while January delivers the coldest days. Rain picks up a bit in February, but overall, winter’s still one of the drier times here.
The air stays humid, which can make the chill bite a bit harder than you’d expect. It’s honestly colder than what the numbers say.
This mix of chilly air, the occasional dusting of snow, and that classic mist over the water gives the city a totally different feel compared to its sweaty summers. If you bundle up and keep an eye on the forecast, winter in Hangzhou is pretty manageable—and honestly, kind of rewarding.
Overview of Winter Weather in Hangzhou
Hangzhou’s winters bring cool air, plenty of dampness, and a lot less sunshine than the rest of the year. The cold isn’t as harsh as in northern China, but honestly, the humidity makes it feel worse than you’d guess from the thermometer.
Typical Winter Climate Conditions
From December through February, you’ll see average daily temperatures between 5°C (41°F) and 10°C (50°F). January usually feels the coldest, with lows hovering around 1–3°C (34–37°F).
Rain falls pretty steadily, but it’s lighter than the summer deluges—expect about 50–90 mm per month over 9–12 days. Snow? Not common, but it can happen, usually just a dusting.
Clouds hang around a lot, and you’ll only get about 3–4 hours of sunshine per day. Skies mostly stay gray.
Humidity doesn’t really let up—usually above 70%—and that makes the air feel damp all the time. Winds come in light, mostly around 8–9 kph, but every now and then, a cold front from the north sweeps in and makes things sharper.
The East China Sea nearby adds to that damp, chilly vibe that really defines winter in Hangzhou.
Winter Weather Patterns Compared to Other Seasons
Winter’s cooler and drier than summer, but don’t expect a true dry season. June dumps about 220 mm of rain, but winter months get less than half of that.
Rain usually comes as light showers or drizzle, not those wild summer storms. Spring warms up fast, but it’s actually wetter—March and April both top 120 mm of rain.
Summer? Sweltering and muggy, with highs often above 34°C (93°F). Autumn feels a lot more comfortable.
Winter days are short, averaging 10–11 hours of daylight, while June stretches to 14 hours. Sunshine is in short supply, with just 100 hours in January compared to over 200 hours in July.
Historical Extremes and Notable Events
Most winters stay mild, but Hangzhou’s seen some real cold snaps. In January 2016, temperatures dropped to -8°C (17.5°F)—pretty wild for recent years.
Sometimes, out of nowhere, you’ll get a warm spell, with highs above 18–20°C (64–68°F), though it never lasts. January 2017 even saw the city touch 25°C (77°F) for a day.
Snow hardly ever piles up, but when it does, it’s just a light cover. Fog is a regular guest at night and in the early morning, cutting visibility and making things feel even damper.
Typhoons leave Hangzhou alone in winter, unlike the late summer and early autumn months, so the season stays calmer, despite the cold.
Average Winter Temperatures
Winter in Hangzhou means cool days and chilly nights, with a steady backdrop of clouds and rain. The highs aren’t as brutal as northern China, but the damp cold really sneaks up on you.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
During winter, average daytime temperatures in Hangzhou usually land between 46°F to 51°F (8°C to 11°C). Some days, it’ll get up to the low 60s°F (16°C), but cold snaps can drop it into the upper 30s°F (3°C).
At night, expect it to fall to around 34°F to 37°F (1°C to 3°C). The coldest nights can hit 26°F (-3°C), but it rarely stays below freezing for long.
You’ll want to dress in layers. A light jacket might do during the day, but after sunset, heavier coats, scarves, and gloves are a must.
Unlike northern cities, snow is rare, but the dampness makes those nights feel colder than you’d think.
Monthly Temperature Breakdown
December starts off with highs near 51°F (11°C) and lows around 37°F (3°C). By late December, things cool down a touch, and you might even get some of the clearest skies of winter.
January brings the coldest stretch. Highs stick close to 46°F (8°C), and lows hover near 34°F (1°C). This is when frost shows up, and you might catch a bit of light snow, though it melts fast.
February starts warming up. Highs rise back toward 50°F (10°C), and lows hit about 37°F (3°C). By month’s end, you’ll notice longer days and slightly warmer afternoons, though nights still feel cold.
| Month | Avg High °F (°C) | Avg Low °F (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 51 (11) | 37 (3) |
| January | 46 (8) | 34 (1) |
| February | 50 (10) | 37 (3) |
Factors Influencing Winter Temperatures
Hangzhou’s winters owe a lot to its humid subtropical climate. The city’s close to the East China Sea, so extreme cold doesn’t really set in, but all that moisture makes everything feel damper.
Coastal air mixes with cooler winds from up north, meaning you get cloudy skies and a good bit of drizzle. The Qiantang River and the lakes crank up the humidity even more, making it feel colder than similar inland spots.
Seasonal winds matter too. January’s dominated by northerly winds, dragging in cooler air from inland China. By February, winds shift and things start to warm up.
That’s why winters here feel chilly but not brutal, especially compared to places like Beijing.
Precipitation and Rainfall in Winter
Winter in Hangzhou is cooler and drier than the rest of the year, but you’ll still get your share of rain. It’s not the monsoon season, so rainfall stays pretty manageable.
Average Rainfall Amounts
Rainfall drops to some of its lowest points of the year in winter. December usually brings about 49 mm (1.9 in), making it the driest month.
January bumps up a bit, around 60–70 mm (2.3–2.7 in), and February hits 80–90 mm (3.1–3.5 in). So, you see a slow climb as winter heads toward spring.
Even though totals stay low, Hangzhou’s humid subtropical climate means winter never goes bone dry. For comparison, June can easily top 200 mm (7.9 in), so winter rain is less than half of what you’d get in peak summer.
Number of Rainy Days
You’ll get rain on a handful of days each winter month, but not as often as in summer. December typically sees 6–8 rainy days; January, 7–9 days; and February, 8–10 days.
Rainy days tend to be spread out, so you’ll catch some dry, cold stretches in between. Rain usually falls as gentle showers, not intense storms.
Most travelers find winter rain easier to manage, since it’s rarely a big disruption—steady showers, not downpours. Still, the humidity lingers, so things often feel damp even when it isn’t raining.
Types of Winter Precipitation
Rain rules the winter months in Hangzhou. Snow barely makes an appearance, since temperatures mostly stay between 2°C to 11°C (36°F to 52°F).
When snow does fall, it’s light and melts off fast. Drizzle and light showers are common, especially in December and January, and they usually come with overcast skies.
Sometimes, a cold front brings sleet or a quick mix of rain and snow, but those moments don’t last. If you’re visiting, expect damp, chilly rain—not a winter wonderland.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
Winter in Hangzhou brings light winds, steady air pressure, and a damp chill that just hangs around. Wind and atmospheric quirks really shape how the cold feels and how comfortable you are outside.
Average Wind Speed in Winter
Hangzhou’s winter winds barely make a fuss. Average speeds usually hover around 2–4 miles per hour (3–6 km/h).
The air stays pretty calm, especially compared to spring and summer breezes. With little wind, the damp cold just sticks around.
Calm air means less mixing, so you’ll get more hazy days when humidity and pollution combine. The city doesn’t get super smoggy, but it can feel a bit stale at times.
Prevailing Wind Directions
Most winter winds come from the north and northwest, dragging in cooler, drier air from inland China. When these winds pick up, temperatures can drop even more, especially in January.
Every now and then, winds swing in from the east, carrying moisture from the East China Sea and adding to that classic Hangzhou dampness.
Hangzhou sits south of the Yangtze River Delta, so the local geography blocks out some of the harshest gusts you’d find farther north. Winters here feel calmer and more sheltered.
Effects of Wind on Winter Weather
Light winds really change how you feel the cold. With barely any air movement, cold air just sits, and humidity hangs low. That makes 45°F (7°C) feel way colder than you’d expect.
Calm weather also means more fog and mist, especially on damp mornings. December and January see this a lot, and it can make travel a bit tricky.
When a stronger northwest wind blows in, it clears the air and drops the humidity. Those days feel brighter and more comfortable, even if the chill is sharper.
Sea Temperature During Winter
Hangzhou’s sea temperatures in winter drop low—not even close to swimming weather. The water cools off through late autumn and stays chilly well into spring, shaping the local climate and the feel around the waterfront.
Monthly Sea Temperature Averages
From December to February, the sea just stays cold. December averages around 12–13°C (54–55°F).
January is the coldest, with the water dipping to about 8–9°C (46–48°F). February sees a tiny bump, with averages near 10–11°C (50–52°F).
If you touch the water, it’s honestly freezing. For swimming, you’d want at least 20°C (68°F), but winter never gets close.
Here’s a quick look at the numbers:
| Month | Avg °C | Avg °F |
|---|---|---|
| December | 12–13 | 54–55 |
| January | 8–9 | 46–48 |
| February | 10–11 | 50–52 |
The water warms up slower than the air, so even when February afternoons feel a bit milder, the sea stays cold.
Impact on Local Climate
Cold sea temperatures really shape how winter feels across Hangzhou. When the water sits around 8–11°C, it cools the air right along the lakeside and river spots, so damp days feel even chillier than you might expect.
You’ll probably notice more discomfort when cold winds sweep over the water, since they drag the temperature down even further.
Humidity hangs around in winter, too. That mix of cool water and moist air often leads to cloudy skies and a higher chance of mist or drizzle.
Outdoor conditions can feel heavier compared to what you’d get farther inland.
The water holds onto cold longer than the air, so spring warmth takes its time arriving near the waterfront.
If you like being outdoors, especially around West Lake, you’ll run into cooler breezes and slower seasonal changes than you’d find in the city center.
Other Winter Weather Considerations
Hangzhou’s winter brings shorter days, lots of cloud cover, steady humidity, and cooler air.
These conditions really shape your experience, from how much sunlight you catch each day to how damp or chilly the air feels the moment you step outside.
Sunshine Hours and Cloud Cover
You won’t see much bright sunshine in Hangzhou during winter. On average, the city gets about 3 to 4 hours of sunshine per day, and most of that comes through gaps in the clouds.
Cloudy skies stick around, especially in December and January.
Heavy rain doesn’t show up as often as it does in summer, but the constant overcast makes days feel kind of dim and subdued.
This lack of sunlight affects visibility and outdoor plans.
Sightseeing at West Lake under gray skies might not feel as lively, but sometimes that misty atmosphere brings its own calm and quiet.
Travelers usually find mornings and evenings darker than they’d expect, so if you want the most daylight, plan your activities around midday.
Humidity Levels
Humidity in Hangzhou stays pretty high all year, and winter doesn’t really let up. Average levels hover between 70% and 80%, so the air feels damp even when it’s cold out.
That dampness can make the chill cut a little deeper, especially when the wind picks up.
A day at 5°C (41°F) might feel colder than you’d think just from looking at the thermometer.
Indoor spaces can feel a bit chilly if there’s not much heating, since moisture in the air cuts down on the warming effect.
Wearing layers that fight off the damp, like wool or synthetics, really helps you stay comfortable.
If you’re planning to walk or cycle, don’t forget gloves and a scarf, since the moist air pulls warmth away from your skin faster than you’d expect.
Day Length and Seasonal Light
Hangzhou’s winter days feel noticeably shorter. Daylight sticks around for about 10 to 11 hours in December, then stretches out a bit as February approaches.
You’ll notice the sun rises late and sets early, which can cut down on time for outdoor sightseeing.
A lower sun angle shifts the whole vibe of the light. Shadows grow longer, and even if the thermometer says it’s not that cold, the sunlight just doesn’t warm things up as much in the afternoon.
Photographers might actually love this softer light. It brings out the subtle, muted tones you find in winter landscapes, especially if you’re wandering near lakes or gardens.
If you crave brighter light, try to plan your main outdoor adventures between late morning and early afternoon, when the sun feels strongest.