What is the weather like in Shanghai in January?

Expect temperatures between 2°C and 9°C with 19% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Shanghai in January?

Shanghai in January scores 52/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Good option with minor considerations.

Who should visit Shanghai in January?

January in Shanghai is ideal for: Budget travelers, Cultural tourists, Business travelers, Heat-sensitive visitors.

Shanghai Weather in January | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

9°C

Hottest around day 4

Avg Low

2°C

Coolest around day 26

Rainy Days

0days

19% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in January

East China Sea(东海)

6.9°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

🥶Polar Plunge

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

❄️Cold water hazard

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

East China Sea

东海

Shanghai coastline

Essential Travel Info for Shanghai

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

CNY

¥ Chinese yuan

Language

Chinese

Driving

Right side

Connect

Shanghai's area code for landlines is21,...

Safety

Moderate Safety

GPI: 2.01

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Shanghai

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Add your home location in settings to see airport details.

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Major Hub

100/ 100

Traffic Index

Extremely busy airport

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Nov

Low

Apr

Monthly Traffic Distribution

725

Jan

766

Feb

729

Mar

699

Apr

701

May

1767

Jun

2791

Jul

2846

Aug

2817

Sep

2778

Oct

3143

Nov

2961

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX)

Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)

Beijing Capital (PEK)

Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG)

Xianyang Xi'an (XIY)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

10 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Chikungunya

There is anoutbreak of chikungunyain Guangdong Province, China.Chikungunya vaccinationis recommended for people traveling to an area with a chikungunya outbreak.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to China.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to China.

Japanese Encephalitis

Recommended for travelers whoAre moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to liveSpend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitisFrequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitisConsider vaccination for travelersSpending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed netsGoing to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be thereNot recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or travel to areas with no clear Japanese encephalitis season.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

+4 more

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is January a Good Time to Visit Shanghai?

👌Good option with minor considerations(52/100)

Short Answer

January brings storm season risk to Shanghai. While typical weather is 9°C with 19% rain, plan for potential disruptions and secure cancellation-friendly bookings.

Decision Factors

Typhoon season active

Western Pacific zone - expect potential typhoon activity

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Poor air quality: Very Unhealthy

Very unhealthy. Avoid outdoor activities. Wear N95 mask if you must go out.

Off-peak season - fewer crowds

Only 23% of peak - better deals and quiet crowds

Cold sea - swimming challenging

6.9°C sea temperature - Polar Plunge

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Schistosomiasis, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

Good For

💰
Budget travelers
Off-peak pricing with acceptable weather conditions
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🌡️
Heat-sensitive visitors
Manageable 8.9°C without oppressive humidity

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 6.9°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
💼
Business travelers
Storm season may cause flight disruptions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Shanghai in January averages 9°C with 19% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Shanghai in January

What are the temperatures in Shanghai in January?

Daytime highs average 9°C, nights drop to 2°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Shanghai in January?

Expect around 0 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Shanghai in January?

Warm winter clothing: insulated jacket, boots, gloves.

Is January peak season in Shanghai?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Shanghai Weather in January