Climate in China

Updated：2008-04-27 16:46 | Source：

China has a marked continental monsoonal climate characterized by great variety. Most areas of China are in the north temperate zone, but the Southern regions are in the tropical or subtropical zone and the Northern regions are in the frigid zone.

There is a clear division between seasons in most parts of China. In winter, northern winds from high latitude areas keep the North cold and dry, while in summer, monsoons from Southern coastal areas bring warmth and moisture.

In Northern China, such as Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, summer is dry and sweltering while winter is formidably cold. Sandstorms sometimes occur in April, especially in Inner Mongolia and the areas surrounding Beijing.

On the Tibet-Qinghai plateau (about 4,000m above sea level), winter is long and extremely cold while summer is short and moderately warm. There is little precipitation in this area and the temperature fluctuates greatly between day and night.

In Central China (the valley along the Yangtze River), summer is long, hot and humid while winter is short and cold. In the areas south of the Yangtze River, temperature rarely falls below freezing. In the far South (areas around Guangzhou), summer is long, humid and hot while winter is short and comfortable, a paradise considered by many northerners. The rainy season runs from May through August and typhoons frequently occur in the southeast coast between July and September.

In Beijing, the average high temperature during August is about 30C (86F) and the average low is about 21C (70F). However, highs can sometimes reach above 40C (104F). Average rain fall during August is about 180mm (7.1 in).

( source: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/climate.htm)

Editor : 李受恩