Chengdu Weather in July

Season: Summer
Overview:
1. Chengdu’s weather in July is pretty hot: midday hours are exceptionally unbearable, accompanied by high humidity. Nights send a kind of relief.
2. July marks the peak of the rainy season, bringing abundant rainfall and heavy downpours.
3. July is the peak month for Chengdu travel – if you plan to visit here during this month, it’s essential to book hotels and flights as early as possible.
 Chengdu experiences an exceptionally hot climate in July, with daytime highs hovering between 29 and 37°C (84-99°F). During some days’ peak heat hours from noon to 19:00, the highest temperature can soar as high as 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit). Not only are temperatures high, but the duration of hot waves is prolonged: it’s totally common for the city center to endure up to 20 consecutive days of over 35°C (95°F) this month. Temperatures drop slightly after sunset, with nighttime lows ranging from 20 to 25°C (68-77°F). Additionally, rainfall also helps cool things down, and it’s not rare to see daytime highs dipping to around 25°C (77°F) on rainy days, making a light jacket necessary.

Chengdu’s nearby mountainous areas experience relatively cooler temperatures. For example, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System is about 3-4°C (5-7°F) cooler than the urban area due to its higher altitudes and high forest density. There is at least one third of the month seeing daytime highs not exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). The breeze carried by the river also offers a significant cool feeling.
 Chengdu experiences the peak of the rainy season in July, characterized by highly concentrated and intense precipitation. The average precipitation reaches 225 mm over 18 rainy days, which is the richest rainfall throughout the year.

In July, short-duration but heavy downpours occur frequently, often accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. Though sudden clear skies tend to show up after the torrential downpours, these extreme weather events heighten the risk of urban flooding and geological hazards. Therefore, if the weather forecast indicates such adverse conditions, it's best to stay within the city and choose some indoor activities when it's raining. The sole advantage is that heavy rain cools the air significantly.
 Due to the abundant rainfall and unique geographical conditions, July in Chengdu remains a high humidity level: 80% on average. During midday, the humid air intensifies the hot temperature, making you feel like you're in a furnace. Therefore, remember to take frequent breaks and stay hydrated during outdoor activities.

The mountainous areas like Dujiangyan and Mount Qingcheng stay off the muggy feeling because their temperatures are much lower, though their humidity is also high.
 In July, Chengdu enjoys long daytime periods, about 13.5-14 hours. However, due to the intense heat at midday, the amount of time you can spend on outdoor explorations is not particularly long, so you are still advised to make wise travel plans. For example, arrange important outdoor attractions in the early morning so as to avoid the tourist rush and hot weather. As for noon, it’s too hot to stay outside. Moreover, the UV rays reach as high as 11 at that time. It’s a good idea to browse the Sanxingdui Museum in the air-conditioned comfort. Once the hot waves pass, you can continue your outdoor tour. You can taste local snacks and appreciate Sichuan Opera in Wide and Narrow Alley and Jinli Street.