Measured, not vibes
Best Time to Visit Shanghai
By measured weather comfort, the top months for Shanghai are October, April, May — and RouteVerdict's editorial pick, which also weighs crowds and prices, is April, May, September, October, November. The table below is computed from ERA5 reanalysis data for 2020–2024, measured at Shanghai (12 m elevation).
Month by month
Shanghai weather and comfort, 2020–2024
| Month | Avg high | Wet days | Comfort | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.9°C / 50°F | 6.5 | 30 | |
| February | 11.2°C / 52°F | 9.5 | 34 | |
| March | 16.3°C / 61°F | 10.2 | 60 | Shoulder |
| April | 20.3°C / 69°F | 9 | 78 | Best |
| May | 25.3°C / 78°F | 9.5 | 78 | Best |
| June | 28.5°C / 83°F | 14 | 60 | Shoulder |
| July | 32°C / 90°F | 15.5 | 42 | |
| August | 33.1°C / 92°F | 10.7 | 42 | |
| September | 28.4°C / 83°F | 11.5 | 64 | |
| October | 22.8°C / 73°F | 6.2 | 88 | Best |
| November | 18.2°C / 65°F | 6.3 | 76 | |
| December | 10.6°C / 51°F | 3.3 | 36 |
Comfort is RouteVerdict's 0–100 score: 100·exp(−(high−23)²/162) × (1 − min(0.35, wet days × 0.02)). The full method is on the methodology page. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (ERA5, CC BY 4.0), 2020–2024 normals. Wet day = ≥1 mm precipitation.
What the seasons are actually like
Traveling to Shanghai month by month
Shanghai's comfort score peaks in October at 87.6, with an average high of 22.8°C and 6.2 wet days, ahead of April's 78.4 and May's 78.4 (a tie). Summer (July-August) is hot and wet, averaging 32–33.1°C with 10.7–15.5 wet days, and comfort drops to 41.9 in both months — the lowest scores of the year outside winter. Winter (December–February) sees highs of 9.9–11.2°C and comfort scores of 30.2–36.2, mild but consistently damp.
FAQ
Shanghai timing questions
What is the best month to visit Shanghai?
By measured weather comfort (ERA5 2020–2024), the top months are October, April, and May, with October scoring highest. RouteVerdict's editorial pick is April, May, September, October, and November, which also weighs crowds, prices, and events.
What is the hottest month in Shanghai?
August, with an average daily high of 33.1°C (92°F).
What is the rainiest month in Shanghai?
July, averaging 15.5 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation.
When is shoulder season in Shanghai?
March and June — the best-scoring months outside both the measured top three and RouteVerdict's editorial peak-season pick.
Why are April and May tied in Shanghai's measured comfort ranking?
Both score exactly 78.4 on comfort — April with a cooler 20.3°C average high and less rain, May slightly warmer at 25.3°C with a bit more rain, balancing out to the same score.
What is Shanghai's single best month for weather?
October, with an average high of 22.8°C, 6.2 wet days, and a comfort score of 87.6 — the highest measured for any month.