Jinan Weather

Jinan has rather distinct four seasons, although short spring and autumn are always complained about by locals. Winter is sunny but cold and dry, summer is scorching, sweaty and a little humid, while spring and autumn is serene, bright and energetic. In precipitation, winter and spring have comparably low rainfall, while summer are characterized by frequent and intense showers. Sunshine is abundant throughout the year. The most comfortable seasons for travel, like other northern cities, are spring and autumn. The wettest period of the iconic springs with the highest water level is late October to early November after the abundant rainfall in summer.
Temperatures in Jinan jump up and down between seasons. The city is heating up in spring with noticeable diurnal temperature variation that you may experience all four seasons in a single day; Summer is unbearably hot, with temperatures going beyond 40°C (104℉) at its hottest. Autumn is the most comfortable season, with clear skies and crisp air, and daytime highs of 15 - 20 degrees Celsius (59 - 68℉). Winter can be bone-chilling and dry, with biting north winds, and temperatures can drop to around -15°C (5 degrees Fahrenheit) at its coldest. You have to bundle up tightly when going out.

 The Hottest Month in Jinan
July with no hesitation. Jinan boasts over 1,000 natural springs and houses Daming Lake occupying almost half of the city which begin to evaporate under the scorching summer sun, and the basin-like topography of Jinan stores the hot air and evaporation well, plus the rainy season, contributing to a blistering and sweltering climate. When it’s sunny, without a breath of wind, it’s as hot as Hades. Temperatures over 40°C are commonplace, with the perceived temperature often 2 - 5°C (36 - 41℉) higher than the forecasted temperature. Even late at night or very early morning with the least heat waves, the temperature remains around 30°C (86℉). Outdoors, aside from staying in a cool spring pool, there is virtually nowhere to escape the heat.

 The Coldest Month in Jinan
January, defeating December with its extremely low temperatures. The daily lows may plummet to -10°C (14℉) or even lower. What’s more, Jinan experiences frequent northerly winds in winter, which howl and penetrate clothing, making the perceived temperature even lower. Stepping outside feels like entering a freezer and your frosty breath may ice up your scarves. In stark contrast to the gelid weather, the spring water, which maintains a temperature of 18°C (64℉) year-round, steams in the dead of winter and never freezes, and the koi carp in the spring seem happier than the pedestrians.
 Jinan receives approximately 700mm of rainfall annually. Over 65% of the annual precipitation occurs in the summer, while the average monthly rainfall in winter is less than 10 mm. Summer rainfall is mostly characterized by heavy showers or downpours accompanied by thunderstorms and winds, with few prolonged periods of continuous rain. This frequent rainfall causes the groundwater level to rise, resulting in springs churning more vigorously than in winter and spring. Consequently, humidity is also highest in summer, often surpassing 80% on rainy days, however, unlike in southern cities in China, it won’t cause mold and mildew growth and you may even feel dry on sunny days. 

 Does it Snow in Jinan?
Yes, 2 - 3 snowfalls are expected from late November to February. Winter is rather dry, especially in indoor places with central heating. The dry air may cause nose-bleeding, a sore throat and even flaky skin and clothes develop a static easily. The fallen leaves along the roadside are dry and crisp. A humidifier only helps a little. 
 The sun is never mean to Jinan. Jinan enjoys an average of 7 to 8 hours of sunshine per day, around 2,500 hours annually. While summer brings frequent rainfall, the rain is short-lived and gives back to a blue sky quickly. Winter does have several gloomy or foggy days, but mostly it’s sunny with clear skies. On most days, you hardly even see clouds.
 Two periods: late March to May and September to early November, spring and autumn, based both on the weather and sceneries. 

In spring, flowers bloom in profusion at the time of hope, willows along the spring rivers sprout, and the entire city comes alive. Cherry blossoms adorn the clear springs, creating a scene as beautiful as a cartoon. A boat trip on the moat is the best way to explore Jinan at this time. 

In autumn, after the abundant rains in summer, the groundwater level reaches its peak, and famous springs such as Baotu Spring and Black Tiger Spring gush forth with their most powerful flow. Late October to early November is time for autumn foliage. The maple leaves in places like Red Leaf Valley and Thousand Buddha Mountain are ablaze, and the golden ginkgo leaves at Lingyan Temple and Baotu Spring Park swirl in the wind — this is the golden time for photography and sightseeing.
 Spring in Jinan sheds the harshness of winter, with temperatures rising but fluctuating greatly, often with a diurnal temperature of 10℃. In March, mornings and evenings are still chilly, with daily highs mostly around 15℃. By May, the daily maximums soar to 28℃ (82℉) with warm afternoons but still requiring extra layers in the mornings and evenings. Occasionally, sudden cold snaps occur in April. 

Jinan weather in Spring is mainly sunny with ample sunshine, but a little dry. Total precipitation is low and rainy days are sparse, with seasonal rainfall accounting for about 15% of the annual total. In the warm, sunny weather, willow branches sprout early, and flowers kissed by the sun contend in beauty and fascination. 
 Clothes: a thick coat with a light sweater and insulating pants for March, a light jacket with shirts and jeans for April, shirts and sweatpants for May
Shoes: comfortable sneakers or casual shoes
Others: masks and antihistamines for allergy sufferers since flying catkins may trigger allergies.
 The city is awakening with warmer and brighter weather. Willows sprout along Baotu Spring, wild ducks flutter across Daming Lake and types of flowers toss their heads in breezy winds. The clear, emerald-green spring water and the colorful spring flowers are what make Jinan unique. Taking a sightseeing boat to travel through the springs, old downtown area and flowers and willows is the well-received way to explore the city.

Holidays to Avoid
Qingming Festival Holiday usually from Apr. 3 to 6 & May Day Holiday from May 1 to 5.
 Summer in Jinan is hot and long, and as you can imagine, high temperatures are the norm. The average daily temperature in June is around 25℃ (77℉), while July and August see the peak of summer, with highs often exceeding 35℃ and even surpassing 40℃ (104℉). The midday sun is intense. Although temperatures may briefly drop after the rain, and the air becomes fresh and humid, the heat quickly returns. However, the springs dotted in the whole city is the excellent natural coolers. Under the shade of trees, the murmuring spring water brings a refreshing coolness. 

Rainfall is concentrated mostly in the form of torrential rain and thunderstorms. The rain is rapid and heavy, easily causing flooding on city streets. The hottest period of summer from mid-July to mid-August is the period of heaviest rainfall. 
 Clothes: your coolest clothes
Shoes: sandals and slippers
Others: sunhat, sunglasses and sun cream
 1. Drink the spring water at Black Tiger Spring Park or on Quancheng Road to quench your thirst, and play water in Baotu Spring Park and Wulongtan Park. 
2. The lotus flowers at Daming Lake bloom in a vast area in June, and citizens brave the heat to admire their beauty. 
3. In the evening, enjoying a cup of tea brewed with spring water on Qushuiting Street is a unique Jinan chill time. 

 Holidays to Avoid: Dragon-boat Festival Holiday
 Stepping into the autumn season, temperatures gradually decrease. While September still sees relatively high temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius (86℉), mornings and evenings are cool, with an average daily temperature of around 25°C (77℉). From October onwards, temperatures steadily drop to comfortably around 20°C (68℉). In early November, averages range from 8 to 16°C (46 - 61℉), and the chilliness of early winter emerges. Jinan’s crisp coolness in autumn provides excellent weather for appreciating springs and leaf peeping.

The weather is predominantly sunny with high visibility, dry air, and light breezes. Rainfall is below average, mostly consisting of short-lived showers or scattered light rain, and becomes even scarcer after November. 
 Clothes: a wool coat with a hoodie or cardigan and insulating pants; a down coat is needed in seemingly wintry early November.
Shoes: lightweight sneakers, and hiking boots if you plan to climb mountains for red leaves.
  Autumn Foliage
The vegetation on Thousand Buddha Mountain and Fohui Mountain is ablaze with orange-red and golden hues. Golden ginkgo leaves in Lingyan Temple attract viewers and worshippers yearly. 

 Gushing Springs
Daming Lake ripples with golden waves in the gloam and the springs, freed from the summer rains, appear even clearer. Baotu Spring, Pearl Spring, and Mo Spring, among others, reach their peak flow in October and November, gushing forth like boiling water. Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Jinan. 

 Holidays to Avoid: Mid-autumn Festival and National Day Holiday
 Jinan carries serious coldness and dryness in winter. The averages range from -4℃ (25℉) to 10℃ (50℉). January, the coldest month, has an average temperature of around -9℃ (℉) to 6℃ (℉) and the lowest can plummet to -10°C (14℉) and even the highs are below freezing. The weather is cold and dry, with prevailing northwest winds, making the perceived temperature 2℃ (36℉) or even lower than the actual air temperature. On sunny days, the air is super dry, easily causing flaky skin.

Precipitation is extremely scarce, accounting for only 5% - 10% of the annual total, primarily in the form of light to moderate snow, and dense fog occasionally appears in the early morning due to temperature inversions. 
  Must-see Springs
The springs like Baotu Spring, Black Tiger Spring and Pearl Spring never ice up and steam in the cold air and the groundwater are always been squeezed out to rich the spring pools. 

 Watch Ice fall on Jiuru Mountain
If you have extra days after visiting the iconic spring parks and Daming Lake, it can be a good choice. Icefalls and ice pillars cascade down like curtains. Among the icefalls, there are small houses encased in translucent ice crystals, like the dwellings of fairies in a snowy world. The fluffy vegetation is covered with snowflakes and you may also see soft rime on trees and branches.

 Snow Views if You Are Lucky
Frigid winter invites several snowfalls with sugar powder snow flakes. If you are lucky enough to come across a snowy day, the ancient buildings at Daming Lake and Mingshui Ancient Town wrapped with snow won’t disappoint you.
 Clothes: a down coat with warm layers and pants with thermal underwear;
Shoes: snow boots;
Others: a hat, a scarf and a pair of gloves; moisturizing face cream, lip balm and body lotion. 

 Holidays to Avoid: New Year’s Day Holiday & Spring Festival Holiday