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Weather & Climate in Qilian, China
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Qilian has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 30°F (-1°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 51°F in July. The area gets 307 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 16.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.6 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 9,049 feet.
Temperature
5°F Jan (-15°C)
51°F Jul (10°C)
| Annual Average | 29.5°F |
| 45% below US avg | |
| January Average | 5°F (-15°C) |
| July Average | 51°F (10°C) |
| Sunny Days | 307 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 9,049 ft (2,758 m) |
| Area | 250.4 sq mi (648.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 102/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1806°N, 100.2403°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Shanghai |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
87 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.6.
| Jan 7, 2022 | northern Qinghai, China | M6.6 | 100 km | 13 km |
| Oct 26, 1993 | 141 km S of Jiuquan, China | M5.9 | 142 km | 8 km |
| Jan 20, 2016 | 91 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.9 | 135 km | 9 km |
| Oct 25, 2003 | 76 km SE of Zhangye, China | M5.8 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Oct 25, 2003 | 73 km SE of Zhangye, China | M5.8 | 67 km | 10 km |
| Sep 30, 1991 | 111 km SW of Jinchang, China | M5.3 | 106 km | 20 km |
| Aug 13, 2016 | 98 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.2 | 126 km | 21 km |
| Oct 25, 2003 | 82 km SE of Zhangye, China | M5.2 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Jan 7, 2022 | 118 km SW of Jinchang, China | M5.2 | 91 km | 10 km |
| Sep 16, 2019 | 44 km SSW of Zhangye, China | M5.1 | 43 km | 17 km |
| Jan 12, 2022 | 111 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.1 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jul 16, 2009 | 75 km E of Zhangye, China | M5.1 | 121 km | 15 km |
| Mar 30, 2008 | 70 km W of Wuwei, China | M5.1 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Jan 2, 1991 | 96 km SSW of Zhangye, China | M5.1 | 25 km | 13 km |
| Jan 7, 2022 | 125 km SW of Jinchang, China | M5.1 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Jan 20, 2016 | 96 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.0 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Jun 21, 1992 | 113 km SW of Zhangye, China | M5.0 | 73 km | 20 km |
| Jul 22, 2007 | 82 km W of Jinchang, China | M5.0 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2022 | 108 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.0 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 2003 | 39 km WSW of Zhangye, China | M5.0 | 78 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.1 in | |
| March | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.3 in | |
| April | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 40°F (5°C) | 1.6 in | |
| June | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 51°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 49°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 42°F (5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| October | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.1 in | |
| December | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.0 in |
Qilian has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 5°F in January to 51°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.0").