Lanzhou Weather
What is the Lanzhou weather like?
Temperature
(1) year round: January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of -10 - 2℃ (14 - 35.6℉). While in July, when the hottest days come, the temperature can reach about 35℃ (95℉).
(2) within several days: Temperature is easily affected by rainfall. For example, if it rains in summer, the temperature will suddenly drop, with the high of 29℃ (84.2℉) from one day dropping to 16℃ (60.8℉) the next day, making people feel like it is autumn.
(3) between day and night: Regardless of the season, the largest difference can reach 13℃ (23.4℉).
Rainfall
Does it snow in Lanzhou?The answer is yes. But the frequency is quite low, and it doesn’t snow heavily. There are usually 2 - 3 snowy days in the whole winter, bringing a total snow accumulation of 50 mm (2 in) on average. The snow often melts quickly in downtown area. Mountainous areas can see more snowfall, with a total amount of 120 mm (4.7 in).
Sunlight Hours & Daylight Hours
If you visit Lanzhou in June, 15 hours of daylight are available, but in December, the daytime only lasts for about 10 hours.
Best Time to Visit Lanzhou
Besides, the four months don’t belong to the busiest tourist season, except for the National Day holiday, so you can have a low-pace travel with favorable hotel fees. Some spots even offer discounts on their tickets, such as the cruise ship on the Yellow River, a must-experience in Lanzhou.
7-Day Lanzhou Weather Forecast
Lanzhou Weather by Month
Averages for Lanzhou Weather
High/Low Temperatures of Lanzhou
Average Temperatures of Lanzhou
Humidity Graph of Lanzhou
Average Rainfall of Lanzhou
Air Quality of Lanzhou
Lanzhou Climate - Seasons & Travel Advice
Spring (March - May)
Weather
Average Temperature: 0 - 24℃ (32 - 75.2℉)
Precipitation: 57 mm (2.2 in)
Spring is ephemeral with changeable weather. When the temperature climbs a lot to a warm level one day, it can suddenly drop significantly because of rain another day. Also, even if it can be warm in the daytime, it gets cold obviously after sunset. It rarely rains in spring, making it the driest season in a year.
Floating dust weather may occur 4 - 5 times in spring and lasts for 2 - 3 days each time. By then, the air is filled with the smell of loess, and visibility decreases greatly.
Packing list
1. Clothes: Thin knitwear or hoodie, jeans, and trench coat are good matches on sunny days. Alternatively, a hooded jacket can help prevent dust from entering your clothes from the neck. For those sensitive to coldness, an additional vest is advised. Besides, it’s necessary to pack a padded jacket or a light down coat if you find there are rainy days during your stay there.
2. Shoes: Light casual shoes or sneakers will be ok.
3. Other items: Carry some normal medicine with you, such as those for colds and cough.
Tips:
1. If you have pollen allergies, be sure to wear masks as protection for your respiratory tract and goggles for your eyes when visiting White Pagoda Park, Five Springs Park, etc. with blooming flowers. At the same time, pack some anti-allergic medicines just in case.
2. Check the air quality index in advance. It would be better not to go out in the floating dust weather.
3. If possible, drink water as much as possible to deal with this dry season.
Summer (June - August)
Weather
Average Temperature: 14 - 29℃ (57.2 - 84.2℉)
Precipitation: 185 mm (7.3 in)
It can be a little hot in the daytime with strong sunlight, but not extremely and in the evening, you will feel cool, whether indoors or outdoors. There is no need to use air conditioning when sleeping at night, generally. The highest value reached 40℃ (104℉) in 2025, but in fact, the weather with a temperature of above 35℃ (95℉) only lasted for less than 10 days.
One third of the three months are rainy days, however, it often doesn’t rain heavily. Without a high humidity, Lanzhou’s climate will not get sultry. Moreover, the sun rises at around 5:30 am and doesn’t set until after 8 pm, creating a long daylight.
Packing list
1. Clothes & Shoes: T-shirt and shorts or dress are advised for hot daytime, but you need to add a blouse before sunrise and after sunset. Or wear sun-protective clothing directly for the outer layer. Besides, prepare light pants and a thin jacket for rainy days with dropping temperatures. Casual shoes or sandals are advised.
2. Other items: sunhat, sunscreen, and parasol for either rain or sunshine
Tips:
1. You can make good use of the long daylight: depart early and go back till night; around noon, avoid the strongest midday sunlight in the hotel.
2. The Yellow River flows heavily in summer, providing an exciting experience of drifting on sheepskin rafts. If you plan to have a try, prepare a raincoat as the water may splash up.
3. It’s the peak tourist season in Lanzhou, when some popular attractions such as Zhongshan Bridge, Statue of Mother Yellow River, Zhangye Road Pedestrian Street, Zhengning Road Night Market and Bingling Temple may be crowded, so be prepared for frequent queues.
Autumn (September – November)
Weather
Average Temperature: -2 - 23℃ (28.4 - 73.4℉)
Precipitation: 65 mm (2.6 in)
Lanzhou’s autumn sees a rapid decrease in temperature. The high value remains above 20℃ (68℉) at the beginning, but later will dramatically drop to around 10℃ (50℉). It’s sunny for most of the time, and night rains sometimes pay a visit, contributing to an even larger temperature difference.
However, it doesn’t rain a lot on the whole; only September may experience 10 rainy days, and the amount is just 41 mm (1.6 in). Therefore, although the humidity reaches its peak of the year, about 60% - 66%, it is still not moist.
Clothes & Shoes
1. In the daytime and early autumn: blouse or shirt with a thin jacket, jeans or sweatpants for the bottom; sneakers or walking shoes
2. In the evening and late autumn: add a knitwear inside, and replace the jacket with a windbreaker or a wool overcoat. For those hating the cold, prepare additional long johns and thick socks just in case.
Tips:
The former two months with pleasant weather conditions are the best time for a Lanzhou trip, and you can visit any place you want at any time; but in November, you are advised to go out a little later and return a little earlier to avoid the cold times.
Winter (December - February)
Weather
Average Temperature: -10 - 6℃ (14 - 42.8℉)
Precipitation: 5 mm (0.2 in)
Lanzhou experiences sunny but cold winters with some foggy and hazy weather. At night, the temperature can drop below -10℃ (14℉). The historical data shows that the extreme low value in this city can reach -22℃ (-7.6℉). But don’t worry. There is often heating indoors, and with the sun shining, the perceived temperature will be a little higher than the displayed value. With this kind of climate condition, almost no green plants can be seen.
It hardly rains. Occasionally, there is a snowfall, but it will be light snow or sleet in most cases. You can hardly see a thick snow cover, and the humidity will also be low. The sun doesn’t come up until around 8 am and falls down early at about 6 pm, meaning that there are only about 10 hours of daylight.
Packing list
1. Clothes: Breathable and moisture-wicking thermal underwear set is a good choice for the inner layer. Then, wear a sweater or fleece hoodie. When going outside, down coat or padded overcoat is necessary. For the bottom, warm winter pants are necessary. For more warmth, you can put on a scarf, gloves, and a hat. Boots with fleece work well in weather below 0℃ (32℉).
2. Necessities: masks for hazy days, moisturizing cream and lip balm to deal with dry weather
Tips:
1. When visiting Zhongshan Bridge, Statue of Mother Yellow River, and Waterwheel Garden along the Yellow River, wear a scarf and hat to keep your head and face warm, as it can be windy.
2. Reduce outdoor activities on hazy days for the sake of health.
3. If you want to visit warm indoor spots, Gansu Provincial Museum can be your first choice.
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- Last updated on Sep. 28, 2025 by Grace Yang -