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Changsha has a humid subtropical climate (Koppen Cfa) with four distinct seasons. The city sits in the Xiang River valley at 63 metres above sea level, which traps heat and moisture in summer and makes it one of the hottest provincial capitals in China. The average annual temperature is 18.4°C (65.1°F), annual rainfall totals 1,430 mm across roughly 154 rain days, and the city logs about 1,545 sunshine hours a year. Expect hot, sticky summers, a cool and damp winter, and a rainy spring that runs from March through June. For a month by month look at how this affects travel, pair this with the best time to visit Changsha guide.
Changsha Weather by Month: Temperatures and Rainfall
July is the hottest month with an average high of 34.1°C (93°F) and an average low of 25.9°C (79°F). January is the coldest with a high of 8.6°C (47°F) and a low of 2°C (36°F). June is the wettest month at 225 mm of rain, while December is the driest at just 45 mm. The table below gives the full month by month picture based on 2004 to 2020 averages. For the complete picture, start with the main Changsha guide.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain (mm) | Rain Days | Sun Hours/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.6°C (47°F) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 | 14 | 2.5 |
| February | 11.5°C (53°F) | 4.4°C (40°F) | 95 | 14 | 2 |
| March | 16.8°C (62°F) | 9.1°C (48°F) | 140 | 18 | 2 |
| April | 23°C (73°F) | 14.6°C (58°F) | 190 | 19 | 3 |
| May | 27.4°C (81°F) | 19.4°C (67°F) | 180 | 16 | 4 |
| June | 30.4°C (87°F) | 23.4°C (74°F) | 225 | 13 | 5 |
| July | 34.1°C (93°F) | 25.9°C (79°F) | 145 | 10 | 7.5 |
| August | 33.8°C (93°F) | 25.2°C (77°F) | 105 | 10 | 7.5 |
| September | 29.4°C (85°F) | 21.2°C (70°F) | 75 | 10 | 5.5 |
| October | 24.2°C (76°F) | 15.5°C (60°F) | 75 | 11 | 4.5 |
| November | 17.9°C (64°F) | 9.3°C (49°F) | 80 | 10 | 4 |
| December | 11.7°C (53°F) | 3.5°C (38°F) | 45 | 9 | 3.5 |
Changsha Weather by Month: Spring (March to May)
Spring is Changsha’s wettest stretch. March brings 140 mm, April 190 mm and May 180 mm, spread across 16 to 19 rain days a month. Temperatures climb steadily from a March average of 13°C (55°F) to a May average of 23.4°C (74°F). April and May are the plum rain season in the region, so grey skies and drizzle are the norm and sunshine runs only 3 to 4 hours a day. Pack an umbrella and waterproof shoes, and expect short bursts of heavy rain rather than all day downpours. For the event calendar, see the Changsha events and festivals guide.
Changsha Weather by Month: Summer (June to August)
Summer is hot, humid and long. Average highs sit at 30.4°C (87°F) in June and 34.1°C (93°F) in July, with overnight lows that stay above 25°C (77°F). On the hottest days the temperature reaches 39 to 40°C (102 to 104°F), and combined with humidity the heat feels heavier than the reading suggests. This is why Changsha appears on China’s secondary list of furnace cities, just behind the classic Three Furnaces of Chongqing, Wuhan and Nanjing. Rain drops off to 105 to 145 mm a month, and July and August are the sunniest months of the year at 7.5 hours a day. Plan outdoor sightseeing before 10:00 or after 16:00. To get oriented, see the Changsha neighborhoods guide.
Changsha Weather by Month: Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is the most comfortable season. September still averages 25.3°C (78°F) but by October the average falls to 19.8°C (68°F) and November to 13.6°C (56°F). Rainfall drops to 75 to 80 mm a month and skies clear, with 4 to 5.5 sunshine hours a day. Late September to early November is the driest, mildest window of the year. The only wildcard is the tail end of a typhoon, which can occasionally bring a wet spell even though the coast is hundreds of kilometres away. For hotel recommendations, see the where to stay in Changsha guide.
Changsha Weather by Month: Winter (December to February)
Winter is cool, damp and grey. January averages 5.3°C (42°F) with a low of 2°C (36°F), and fog is common in the valley. Snow is rare and light when it falls, but frost happens on the coldest nights. In January 2016 the temperature dropped to -6.6°C (20°F), the lowest recent reading. Rainfall eases to 45 to 95 mm a month but the damp air and lack of indoor heating in older buildings make it feel colder than the numbers suggest. Sunshine is weak at 2 to 3.5 hours a day. For seasonal travel planning and packing advice, see the Changsha travel tips guide.
Changsha Weather by Month: Humidity and Sunshine
Relative humidity averages around 75 percent year round and climbs highest in summer. Combined with the river valley setting, this is what makes July and August feel so oppressive despite temperatures similar to drier inland cities. Sunshine is the mirror image: July and August get 7.5 hours a day, while February and March get only 2 hours. If you want the warmest weather with the most daylight, July and August deliver, but most travellers prefer the milder October and November window outlined in the things to do in Changsha guide.
