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Dunhuang, Gansu Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Dunhuang, Gansu?
Dunhuang, Gansu gets 48 mm of precipitation a year over about 20 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 33°C) and January the coldest (average low -14°C).
Cold desert climate
Dunhuang, Gansu has hot summers and cold winters. Daytime highs range from about -1°C in January to 33°C in July. July is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically April and October, when daytime highs sit near 21°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | -12° | 2° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 4° | 21° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 16° | 32° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 2° | 18° |
How much rain does Dunhuang get?
Dunhuang gets 48 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 20 days with measurable rain. That is fewer rainy days than 98% of China.
July is the wettest month, with 12 mm. February is the driest, with 1 mm. July has the most rainy days, about 4.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 93 days, to June 25, 2022.
Dunhuang weather by month
Dunhuang weather in January
In January, Dunhuang averages a high of -1°C and a low of -14°C. It gets 1 mm of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 65% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 12°C (2014) and the record low is -28°C (1979).
Dunhuang weather in February
In February, Dunhuang averages a high of 6°C and a low of -9°C. It gets 1 mm of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 57% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 18°C (2004) and the record low is -25°C (2008).
Dunhuang weather in March
In March, Dunhuang averages a high of 14°C and a low of -2°C. It gets 3 mm of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 56% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 28°C (2009) and the record low is -17°C (1986).
Dunhuang weather in April
In April, Dunhuang averages a high of 22°C and a low of 5°C. It gets 4 mm of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 60% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 36°C (2004) and the record low is -9°C (1979). April is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Dunhuang weather in May
In May, Dunhuang averages a high of 28°C and a low of 11°C. It gets 6 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 51% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 38°C (2014) and the record low is -2°C (1977).
Dunhuang weather in June
In June, Dunhuang averages a high of 32°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 9 mm of precipitation over about 3 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 55% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 41°C (2010) and the record low is 4°C (1980).
Dunhuang weather in July
In July, Dunhuang averages a high of 33°C and a low of 18°C. It gets 12 mm of precipitation over about 4 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 66% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 42°C (1981) and the record low is 8°C (1972).
Dunhuang weather in August
In August, Dunhuang averages a high of 32°C and a low of 16°C. It gets 6 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 64% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 40°C (1975) and the record low is 4°C (1984).
Dunhuang weather in September
In September, Dunhuang averages a high of 27°C and a low of 9°C. It gets 3 mm of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 72% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 37°C (1999) and the record low is -3°C (2004).
Dunhuang weather in October
In October, Dunhuang averages a high of 19°C and a low of 1°C. It gets 1 mm of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 71% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 31°C (2008) and the record low is -14°C (1986). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Dunhuang weather in November
In November, Dunhuang averages a high of 9°C and a low of -5°C. It gets 1 mm of precipitation over about 1 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 66% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 21°C (1989) and the record low is -19°C (1997).
Dunhuang weather in December
In December, Dunhuang averages a high of 1°C and a low of -12°C. It gets 2 mm of precipitation over about 2 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 66% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 11°C (2004) and the record low is -31°C (1991).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Dunhuang
September is the sunniest month in Dunhuang, with estimated sunshine of 72% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. May is the cloudiest, at 51%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 62% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Dunhuang is sunnier than 95% of China.
Humidity peaks in December at 44% and is lowest in April at 16%.
Dunhuang has about 51 days a year above 32°C. Dunhuang is hotter than 75% of China.
First and last freeze in Dunhuang
The first fall freeze in Dunhuang typically comes around October 11, and the last spring freeze around April 14. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 180 days.
Dunhuang weather records
These records cover DUNHUANG during 1970–2023. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Dunhuang station is 42°C, on July 24, 1981. The coldest is -31°C, on December 27, 1991.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 31 mm of precipitation, on June 7, 2002.
47 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.4°C per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Dunhuang
The most comfortable time to visit is typically April and October, when daytime highs sit near 21°C.
Winter (December–February) is cold, with average highs around 2°C and lows near -12°C.
Spring (March–May) is warm, with average highs around 21°C and lows near 5°C.
Summer (June–August) is hot, with average highs around 32°C and lows near 16°C.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 19°C and lows near 2°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -14° | -1° | 1.3 mm | 1 | 40% | 65% | 12° | -28° |
| February | -9° | 6° | 0.5 mm | 1 | 30% | 57% | 18° | -25° |
| March | -2° | 14° | 2.5 mm | 1 | 19% | 56% | 28° | -17° |
| April | 5° | 22° | 3.6 mm | 1 | 16% | 60% | 36° | -9° |
| May | 11° | 28° | 6.1 mm | 2 | 16% | 51% | 38° | -2° |
| June | 16° | 32° | 9.4 mm | 3 | 17% | 55% | 41° | 4° |
| July | 18° | 33° | 12 mm | 4 | 22% | 66% | 42° | 8° |
| August | 16° | 32° | 6.1 mm | 2 | 24% | 64% | 40° | 4° |
| September | 9° | 27° | 2.8 mm | 1 | 24% | 72% | 37° | -3° |
| October | 1° | 19° | 1.0 mm | 1 | 26% | 71% | 31° | -14° |
| November | -5° | 9° | 1.3 mm | 1 | 33% | 66% | 21° | -19° |
| December | -12° | 1° | 1.5 mm | 2 | 44% | 66% | 11° | -31° |
Station: DUNHUANG, 2 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2023; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Dunhuang climate questions
How much rain does Dunhuang get?
Dunhuang gets 48 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 20 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Dunhuang?
July is the wettest month in Dunhuang, with 12 mm. February is the driest, with 1 mm.
How many rainy days does Dunhuang have a year?
Dunhuang has about 20 days with measurable rain in an average year. July has the most, about 4.
What is the hottest month in Dunhuang?
July is the warmest month in Dunhuang, with an average high of 33°C.
What is the coldest month in Dunhuang?
January is the coldest month in Dunhuang, with an average low of -14°C.
What is the record high temperature in Dunhuang?
Within the available 1970–2023 station history, the record high at the Dunhuang station is 42°C, set on July 24, 1981. The record low is -31°C, on December 27, 1991.
What is the sunniest month in Dunhuang?
September is the sunniest month in Dunhuang, with estimated sunshine of 72% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. May is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Dunhuang?
The first fall freeze in Dunhuang typically comes around October 11. The last spring freeze is around April 14.
What is the best time to visit Dunhuang?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically April and October, when daytime highs sit near 21°C.