Huashan Weather

Huashan Mountain has a continental monsoon climate and enjoys four distinctive seasons: pleasantly warm and less rainy spring from March to May, rainy and hot summer from June to August, comfortably cool and relatively rainy autumn from September to November, and cold winter with low precipitation from December to February.

Tourists on Huashan Mountain Top

 The temperatures of Huashan Mountain are generally the highest in summer and the lowest in winter, and in there is a rising trend in spring and a decreasing trend in autumn.

 The Hottest Month of Huashan: July in Mid-summer
July of Huashan Mountain, with the highest temperatures on record respectively of about 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) at the mountain foot and about 25°C (77°F) on the mountain tops, is undoubtedly the hottest month throughout the year. Moreover, the temperature of the mountain foot area is over 30°C (86°F) at noon almost all month long.

 The Coldest Month of Huashan: January in Mid-winter
As Huashan Mountain enters its mid-winter in January, its temperature falls to the lowest level in a year, with the daily low being only -7°C (19°F) at the mountain foot and about -14°C (7°F) on the mountain tops. Such a temperature condition makes it unsuitable to climb the Huashan Mountain at night. Besides, throughout the month, there are averagely about 20 days with the highest temperature below 0°C (32°F), during which the weather of Huashan can be freezingly cold.

Visit Mt. Huashan in July

Sunny Day after Snow in January

 Mount Huashan has five peaks, and the altitude difference between the top and the mountain foot can reach the maximum of about 1,800 meters (5,900 feet). Such a large vertical distance can bring a large temperature difference between the mountain foot and the peak, for over 10°C (18°F). Thus, adding clothes in time is quite necessary on the way up the mountain.
 The temperature of Huashan further features a remarkable daily difference, especially in spring and autumn. A temperature variation over 8°C (46°F) between day and night is quite frequent, making it vital to keep warm in the early morning and late evening.
 Affected by the southeast monsoon, the climate of Huashan Mountain in summer is the rainiest in the entire year. As for average monthly precipitation, it totals about 365 mm in this season. Each month from June to August, Mt. Huashan experiences more than 10 rainy days. It’s further noteworthy that in this season, rain at midnight is quite frequent, probably interrupting some people’s climbing at night.
 Rain and snow are two main forms of precipitation in the Huashan Mountain area. Slight and moderate rain happen more in spring and autumn, while in summer, the mountain mainly experiences scattered showers and thundershowers.

In winter, precipitation usually comes in rain or snow in low and middle intensities, and also sleet. In rare cases, heavy snow can happen, and snow covers all over the mountain. From late December to late January, the daily high of Mt. Huashan is mostly below 0°C (32°F), the freezing point, and this period thus becomes a proper time to admire snow scenery. Plus, there’s a greater chance of seeing it on the shady area of the mountain.

 In summer and autumn, fog easily happens when rain lasts all day long or for consecutive days. When the fog is light, it basically doesn’t affect your tour, and the mountain will be in a serene atmosphere brought by the mist. While the heavy fog can cause bad visibility, you may just see the trail ahead during your climb.

As for the windy weather, it usually happens when cold air blows or thunderstorms happen. Once the wind is quite strong, the Huashan Mountain Cable Cars are prone to slow running and temporary closure. In addition, hiking in strongly windy weather won’t be quite pleasant, so it’s better to avoid a climb in such a condition.

Reach Mount Huashan Peak in Thick Fog

Throughout the year, the Huashan Mountain has its earliest sunrise at 05:26 in mid-June and its latest sunrise at 07:47 in early January. On around June 21, the Huashan Mountain experiences its longest daytime for about 14.5 hours long and its shortest daytime for nearly 10 hours occurs around December 21.

The long daytime allows tourists to fully enjoy their sightseeing on the mountain, and in months with relatively short daytime, you’re advised to properly arrange your itinerary and descend the mountain before sunset. Besides, for those who want to climb the mountain at night and view the sunrise on the peak, it’s suggested to check the weather conditions in advance, and start the hike from the Jade Spring Temple in Mt. Huashan Attraction 6 to 8 hours earlier than the sunrise time.

Stunning Sunrise above Mt. Huashan

 From the perspectives of comfort and scenery, the best time to visit Mt. Huashan is from April to October.

In terms of weather conditions in this period from mid-spring, summer, to early autumn, it’s generally suitable to enjoy the climb. Outside the coldest months in a year, people can visit the mountain in relatively agreeable and comfortable weather. Besides, blossoms, lush green trees, and fiery-red maple leaves are attractive respectively in these three seasons, becoming the highlight during your sightseeing.

Spring Blossom of Huashan Mountain

Fiery Maple Leaves in Mt. Huashan's Autumn

 Notes:
(1) During the best time to visit Huashan Mountain, there are some crowded holidays that are not so recommended for a tour: Qingming Festival Holiday in early April, May Day Holiday in the first five days of May, Dragon Boat Festival Holiday in around mid-June, Mid-Autumn Festival Holiday in late September or early October, and National Day Holiday in the first week of October.

(2) If you can only make your tour to Huashan Mountain between November and March, with necessary preparation for cold weather and snowy days, you can still enjoy a not-bad travel.
  Huashan Weather in March: a little cold, slightly windy, and occasionally snowy.
-2 to 29°C (28 to 84°F) on the mountain foot, and -5 to 23°C (23 to 73°F) on mountain peaks
 Huashan Weather in April: pleasantly warm, and slightly rainy.
10 to 33°C (50 to 91°F) on the mountain foot, and 3 to 18°C (37 to 64°F) on mountain peaks
 Huashan Weather in May: warm to hot, and sunny.
12 to 39°C (54 to 102°F) on the mountain foot, and 4 to 26°C (39 to 79°F) on mountain peaks

Spring Scenery of Mt. Huashan Entrance

 In March, suitable clothes include a quick-dry long-sleeved shirt, a thermal base shirt, a windproof down jacket, thermal long johns, and wind-proof hiking pants. In April and May, it’s better to wear a long-sleeved base shirt, an outdoor jacket, and hiking pants. In this season, hiking shoes are recommended.
 1. The blossom scenery is the most unmissable highlight in Huashan’s spring, and vast areas of peach blossoms are in their prime from late March to early April.
2. In early-to-mid March, it’s possible to enjoy snow scenery on the mountain.
  Huashan Weather in June: hot on the ground, cooler on the peaks, and sometimes sunny.
16 to 39°C (61 to 102°F) on the mountain foot, and 6 to 25°C (43 to 77°F) on mountain peaks
 Huashan Weather in July: hot on the ground, cooler on the peaks, and the rainiest in a year, with thundershowers.
22 to 41°C (72 to 106°F) on the mountain foot, and 15 to 25°C (59 to 77°F) on mountain peaks
 Huashan Weather in August: hot on the ground, cooler on the peaks, and relatively rainy.
20 to 41°C (68 to 106°F) on the mountain foot, and 9 to 24°C (48 to 75°F) on mountain peaks

Enjoy Cooler Weather on Mt. Huashan Peak in Summer

 A shorted-sleeved shirt and long hiking pants are suggested, and an additional jacket is requisite. Breathable sneakers are suitable shoes. Sun-protective products such as sunblock, sunglasses, and a sun hat are necessary during your tour. For night hikers, to cope with too much lower temperature on the peaks, a down jacket is a must, and alternatively, you can rent a tent or a cotton overcoat on the mountain tops.
 1. In summer, sunrise and waterfalls are two unmissable things during your sightseeing.
2. Short-term heavy rain may cause temperature closure of the attraction, and you’re advised to check the weather conditions in advance to make proper adjustments.
  Huashan Weather in September: hot on the ground, cooler on the peaks, relatively rainy.
11 to 32°C (52 to 90°F) on the mountain foot, and 5 to 22°C (41 to 72°F) on mountain peaks
 Huashan Weather in October: comfortably cool, and slightly rainy.
4 to 26°C (39 to 79°F) on the mountain foot, and -1 to 17°C (30 to 63°F) on mountain peaks
 Huashan Weather in November: cool to a little cold, partly cloudy, and the first snow may fall.
-2 to 21°C (28 to 70°F) on the mountain foot, and -13 to 11°C (9 to 52°F) on mountain peaks

Sea of Clouds in Autumn of Mount Huashan

 In September and October, a sweatshirt, an outdoor jacket, long hiking pants are suggested, and in November, a quick-dry base shirt, a fleece jacket, a hard-shell jacket, quick-dry base pants, and wind-proof hiking pants are suggested. Besides, anti-slippery hiking shoes are recommended.
 Golden and fiery-red maple leaves are the highlight in Huashan’s autumn, and the best spot to view them is the Black Dragon Ridge, one of dangerous passes on Huashan Mountain. On one side, maple leaves are dyed various colors, and on the other side, the ridge is as sharp as a blade.
   Huashan Weather in December: cold, sunny, but sleet or heavy snow can fall occasionally.
-4 to 16°C (25 to 61°F) on the mountain foot, and -13 to 8°C (9 to 46°F) on mountain peaks
 Huashan Weather in January: the coldest in a year, sometimes freezing on the peaks, and relatively dry.
-7 to 14°C (19 to 57°F) on the mountain foot, and -14 to 8°C (7 to 46°F) on mountain peaks
 Huashan Weather in February: cold, sometimes overcast, and light snow can happen occasionally.
-4 to 22°C (25 to 72°F) on the mountain foot, and -11 to 14°C (12 to 57°F) on mountain peaks

Chess Pavilion of Huashan Mountain after Snow

Challenging Hiking on Foggy Day in Winter

 A 3-in-1 jacket, with the innermost layer made of quick-dry materials, quick-dry pants, fleece pants, and hard-shell pants are recommended clothing. Woolen socks and hiking shoes are suggested. Warm and slip-resistant gloves, ice crampons, and a beanie are requisites.
 1. Sunny days after snow are the best time to enjoy snow and ice views on the mountain, like rime and sparkling icicles.
2. The attraction will be closed in heavily snowy weather, so please check the latest weather conditions and notices from the attraction.
3. It’s strongly suggested not to have a night climb in winter, during which the temperature is very low and snow happens occasionally, and you won’t feel quite comfortable in the process.   You may like:
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Mount Huashan Plank Walk
Classical Routes for Mount Huashan Hike
Mount Huashan Travel Tips
How to Travel from Xi'an to Huashan