Weather

Qingdao Weather & Climate

Typical Summer Day (Aug)

26°C

Average high — warm, humid, partly cloudy

Jul

27°

Aug

28°

Sep

25°

Oct

19°

Nov

12°

Dec

6°

Jan

3°

These are average high temperatures by month, not a real-time forecast. For live conditions, check a weather app before you go.

Typical AQI Range

40–90

Good to Moderate

Qingdao's air is generally better than Beijing or Shanghai thanks to coastal winds. Worst in winter (heating), best after rain.

Typical Tide Pattern (for beachgoers)

Twice daily: two low tides and two high tides

Best beach time: 2 hours before and after low tide

Big tidal range: roughly 2–3m in Qingdao

Swimming safety: Stay between flags at No. 1 and Golden Beach

Exact times change daily; check a tide chart for your exact dates.

What to Wear Each Month

Month	Temperature	What to Wear	Key Items
Jan	-3 to 3°C	Full winter gear	Heavy down jacket, thermal underwear, wool scarf, gloves, beanie, waterproof boots
Feb	-1 to 5°C	Full winter gear	Down jacket, thermal layers, scarf, gloves, warm hat
Mar	3 to 9°C	Winter-to-spring transition	Light down jacket, sweaters, long pants. Wind can be biting near the sea.
Apr	8 to 15°C	Spring layers	Light jacket, long-sleeve shirts, one warm layer for evenings. Cherry blossom season.
May	13 to 20°C	Light spring	T-shirts, light pants, one jacket for evenings. Best walking weather.
Jun	18 to 24°C	Summer begins	Light clothing, swimsuit, sandals, hat. Sunscreen is essential (SPF 50+).
Jul	22 to 27°C	Peak summer	Shorts, t-shirts, swimsuit (2x), sandals. Mosquito repellent is non-negotiable.
Aug	23 to 28°C	Hot and humid	Lightest clothing, swimsuit, sandals. Light jacket for heavily air-conditioned malls and museums.
Sep	19 to 25°C	Late summer	T-shirts, light jacket for evenings. Swimming still possible early September.
Oct	13 to 19°C	Autumn layers	Sweater, long pants, light jacket. Golden light, perfect for photography.
Nov	6 to 12°C	Autumn-to-winter	Warm jacket, sweaters, long pants. Wind picks up near the coast.
Dec	0 to 6°C	Winter arrives	Heavy coat, sweaters, thermal layers, scarf, gloves, hat. Hotels are cheapest now.

Always Pack (any month)

Tissues (public toilets lack paper) Hand sanitizer Universal power adapter VPN installed on all devices Copies of passport + visa Comfortable walking shoes Portable battery pack Reusable water bottle

Monthly Climate

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Rain (mm)	Sea Temp
Jan	3°C	-3°C	9	5°C
Feb	5°C	-1°C	14	4°C
Mar	9°C	3°C	21	6°C
Apr	15°C	8°C	36	9°C
May	20°C	13°C	51	14°C
Jun	24°C	18°C	82	19°C
Jul	27°C	22°C	162	24°C
Aug	28°C	23°C	151	26°C
Sep	25°C	19°C	79	24°C
Oct	19°C	13°C	37	20°C
Nov	12°C	6°C	23	15°C
Dec	6°C	0°C	10	9°C

Seasonal Guide

Spring (Mar-May)

Mild and pleasant. Cherry blossoms in April. Light jacket recommended. Best season for walking tours and outdoor photography. AQI: Good (40-80). Sea temp: too cold for swimming.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Warm and humid. Peak tourist season. Beach weather with sea temps reaching 26°C. August Beer Festival brings crowds. Book hotels 3+ months ahead. AQI: Moderate (50-90). Typhoon risk: low but possible in August.

Autumn (Sep-Nov)

Golden light, crisp air. Best season overall. Comfortable temperatures, blue skies. Ideal for Laoshan hiking and seafood. AQI: Good (30-70). Sea still swimmable through September.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Cold and windy (-5 to 5°C). Few tourists but cheapest hotel rates. Snow is rare. Great for hot pot, quiet beach walks, and photography (clear winter skies). AQI: Variable (50-120). Occasional smog from heating.