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Best Weather Apps for China
Moji Weather (墨迹天气) — Recommended
The most popular weather app in China, with the most granular local data particularly in smaller cities where international services have less coverage.
Key features:
- Very detailed hourly forecasts
- Air quality index integration (AQI, PM2.5, PM10)
- Precipitation radar
- 15-day forecast
- Good accuracy in Chinese cities
Download: Available on iOS and Android globally; search “Moji Weather” or “墨迹天气”
Interface: Primarily Chinese; limited English. The graphical elements (temperature, rain probability, wind) are universally readable.
China Weather (中国天气) — Official
The official weather app of the China Meteorological Administration. The most authoritative source for typhoon tracking, severe weather warnings and official forecasts.
Key features:
- Official government data; authoritative for safety decisions
- Typhoon tracking and storm warnings
- Agricultural and disaster weather monitoring
- Life index (dressing, UV index, exercise suitability)
Best for: Typhoon-season coastal travel; official severe weather information.
AccuWeather
Reliable international option with strong China coverage. The English interface makes it more immediately usable for international visitors.
Key features:
- Good hourly forecast accuracy
- Temperature and precipitation probability clear
- Global coverage for multi-country trips
Limitation: Less detailed than Moji for smaller Chinese cities; AQI data less granular than China-specific apps.
Weather Underground
Useful for mountain areas and areas with many personal weather stations, which can provide more localized data than official station networks.
Windy (windy.com / app)
Excellent for visualizing wind patterns, cloud coverage and precipitation systems. Particularly valuable for:
- Mountain conditions (wind speed and direction at specific altitude levels)
- Typhoon tracking
- Understanding why certain mountain areas are cloud-free on specific days
The global wind visualization layer is free; premium features add precipitation layers.
Understanding AQI in China
Air Quality Index (空气质量指数, AQI) is a critical metric for planning outdoor activities in China, particularly in northern cities.
The Chinese AQI Scale
China uses its own AQI scale (different from the US AQI):
| AQI | Level | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 | Excellent (优) | No restrictions on outdoor activity |
| 51–100 | Good (良) | Minor concern for very sensitive individuals |
| 101–150 | Lightly Polluted (轻度污染) | Sensitive groups limit prolonged outdoor exercise |
| 151–200 | Moderately Polluted (中度污染) | Everyone limit prolonged heavy exertion outdoors |
| 201–300 | Heavily Polluted (重度污染) | Avoid outdoor exercise; wear N95 mask outdoors |
| 300+ | Severely Polluted (严重污染) | Stay indoors; N95 mask essential outdoors |
Key Pollutants
PM2.5 (fine particulate matter): The main health-relevant pollutant in Chinese cities. Fine particles from vehicle exhaust, coal burning and industrial emissions. PM2.5 below 35 μg/m³ is “good”; above 75 is concerning.
PM10 (coarser particles): Important in northern cities during spring sand and dust storm season.
Ozone (O₃): A summer pollutant in hot cities; formed from vehicle exhaust compounds reacting in sunlight.
NO₂: Traffic-related; important in major cities but less so for outdoor planning than PM2.5.
Best Apps for AQI
IQAir AirVisual: Widely considered the most reliable international AQI tracking app for China. Shows real-time PM2.5 from monitoring stations with good national coverage.
AQI China (aqicn.org): Web-based map showing all government monitoring station readings in real time. Useful for comparing areas within a city.
Moji Weather: Integrates AQI data alongside weather; convenient single-app solution.
Regional Weather Patterns and Planning Implications
North China (Beijing, Hebei, Shandong)
Summer (June–August): Hot, humid with concentrated summer rainfall. Beijing average: 31°C July.
Winter (November–March): Cold and dry; historically poor air quality due to coal heating (improving with natural gas transition). North winds bring clean air episodically.
Sand storm season (March–May): Spring sand storms from Inner Mongolia/Mongolia affect air quality and visibility. Less common since improved grassland management but still occasional.
Best seasons: September–October for clear skies and comfortable temperatures. April–May if you avoid sand storm weeks.
Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang)
Plum Rain Season (梅雨季, Meiyu): June–early July; persistent overcast, drizzle and occasional heavy rain. Very high humidity. Not ideal for outdoor exploration.
Summer (July–August): Very hot (35–40°C) and humid after plum rain. Typhoon risk increases.
Typhoon season: Late July through September; direct hits on Shanghai and coastal areas are possible but relatively rare. Typhoon warnings require checking flights/transport.
Best seasons: March–May and October–November.
South China (Guangdong, Hainan)
Winter: Actually the best season (November–March) — warm (20–26°C), relatively low humidity, good air quality. Peak tourist season for Sanya and Guangzhou.
Summer: Hot (33–38°C), very humid, typhoon risk June–October. Hainan is directly in the south China typhoon path.
Best season: October–April.
Southwest China (Yunnan, Guizhou)
Yunnan: Relatively consistent mild climate year-round in most areas (described as “Spring City” 春城 for Kunming). Dry season (October–April) best; rainy season (May–September) brings daily afternoon thunderstorms but remains accessible.
Guizhou: Cloud and rain throughout the year; “天无三日晴” (not three clear days in a row) is the provincial saying. Bring waterproofs any time of year.
Best seasons: October–April for Yunnan; spring-autumn transition months for Guizhou.
Northwest China (Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai)
Desert regions (Turpan, Dunhuang): Extreme heat in summer (45°C+ in Turpan); ideal spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October). Winter cold but manageable.
Xinjiang grasslands/mountains (Kanas, Bayanbulak): Very short optimal season; July–September for accessibility.
Tibetan Plateau (Qinghai): Snow can close high passes October–May; July–September is the optimal trekking window. Afternoon thunderstorms common throughout summer.
Northeast China (Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning)
Winter (December–February): Extreme cold (-20 to -35°C in Harbin); spectacular winter attractions (ice festival, skiing).
Summer (June–August): Pleasant (22–28°C); the best season for outdoor exploration.
Spring/Autumn: Short but pleasant; autumn colours in October are outstanding.
Typhoon Planning
Typhoon Season
China’s coastal areas are affected by typhoons generated in the western Pacific:
- Peak season: July–October
- Most affected areas: Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hainan, and less frequently Taiwan and Shanghai
- Average 5–7 typhoons make landfall or close approach to Chinese coast annually
How to Track Typhoons
Best app: China Weather (中国天气) — official government typhoon tracking; also the Typhoon Network (台风网) website.
Typhoon response for travellers:
- Strong wind warning (大风警报): Reduce outdoor exposure; check transport disruptions
- Typhoon warning (台风预警, Yellow/Orange/Red levels): Yellow: prepare; Orange: stay indoors if possible; Red: stay indoors, all outdoor activities suspended
Transport implications: Typhoon warnings typically result in:
- Airport closures (often 24–48 hours); check flight status with your airline
- Ferry cancellations (particularly to and from islands)
- Highway closures
- Rail services may be delayed but HSR is generally more resistant to typhoon disruption than conventional rail
Mountain Weather Apps and Resources
For trekking in mountains (Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai, Tibetan Plateau):
Windy.com: Essential for checking mountain-level wind, cloud and precipitation. Set altitude to your hiking elevation for relevant data.
Mountain Forecast (mountain-forecast.com): Elevation-specific forecasts for many named Chinese mountains.
Local sources: Your guesthouse or tour operator in mountain areas will have the most accurate local knowledge, often combining app data with direct observation.
Key Weather Planning Tips
1. Check the week before, not months before
Long-range forecasts beyond 7–10 days in China have limited reliability. Use long-range climate data (monthly averages) for initial planning; use apps for the week before departure and daily during travel.
2. Build in weather contingency for mountain parks
Jiuzhaigou, Huangshan, Zhangjiajie and similar sites regularly have reduced visibility or trail closures due to weather. Budget an extra day if possible; the difference between a perfectly clear summit day and a cloud-shrouded one is enormous.
3. North China in September-October: gold standard
The period between the end of the summer monsoon and the first winter pollution event (approximately September 15 – October 30) produces the clearest, most photogenic weather of the year for Beijing and northern China. Plan accordingly.
4. Morning vs afternoon at mountain sites
Cloud typically builds over Chinese mountains in the afternoon. Starting treks early (before 07:00) maximises chances of clear summit views.
5. AQI monitoring in real time
In northern cities (Beijing, Shenyang, Jinan, Zhengzhou), check AQI the morning before planning outdoor activities. If AQI > 150, consider indoor alternatives that day.