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Weather & Climate in Shangri-La, China
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shangri-La has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 55°F in July. The area gets 285 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 28.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.7 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 10,771 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
55°F Jul (13°C)
| Annual Average | 41.6°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| Sunny Days | 285 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 10,771 ft (3,283 m) |
| Area | 704.9 sq mi (1,825.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 264/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 27.8251°N, 99.7078°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Shanghai |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
164 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.6.
| Feb 3, 1996 | 47 km N of Lijiang, China | M6.6 | 82 km | 11 km |
| Nov 19, 1998 | 93 km ENE of Lijiang, China | M5.6 | 142 km | 33 km |
| Feb 4, 1996 | 20 km NNE of Lijiang, China | M5.6 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Aug 31, 2013 | 58 km NW of Shangri-La, China | M5.6 | 58 km | 8 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 36 km N of Lijiang, China | M5.5 | 91 km | 10 km |
| May 23, 2001 | 119 km NE of Lijiang, China | M5.5 | 128 km | 33 km |
| Sep 24, 1996 | 41 km NNE of Lijiang, China | M5.5 | 94 km | 33 km |
| Jun 24, 2012 | 105 km E of Shangri-La, China | M5.5 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Jul 17, 1993 | 21 km NNW of Shangri-La, China | M5.4 | 22 km | 31 km |
| Jan 2, 2022 | 99 km E of Shangri-La, China | M5.4 | 99 km | 36 km |
| Oct 2, 1998 | 90 km ENE of Lijiang, China | M5.4 | 143 km | 48 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 46 km NNE of Lijiang, China | M5.2 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Aug 27, 2013 | 59 km NW of Shangri-La, China | M5.2 | 59 km | 10 km |
| Oct 23, 1997 | 22 km NE of Lijiang, China | M5.1 | 114 km | 33 km |
| Feb 3, 1996 | 25 km N of Lijiang, China | M5.1 | 95 km | 10 km |
| May 27, 2024 | 44 km N of Yongning, China | M5.1 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Apr 9, 2024 | 48 km WNW of Yongning, China | M5.0 | 58 km | 31 km |
| Aug 31, 2013 | 56 km NW of Shangri-La, China | M5.0 | 57 km | 10 km |
| May 26, 1991 | 51 km WNW of Lijiang, China | M5.0 | 86 km | 33 km |
| Feb 3, 1996 | 29 km NNW of Lijiang, China | M5.0 | 89 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.0 m (7 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1951 | CHINA: GANSU AND SHANXI PROVINCES | Earthquake | 2.0 m | — | 128 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 40°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 55°F (13°C) | 5.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 54°F (12°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 51°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
Shangri-La has a seasonal temperature swing of 28°F / from 26°F in January to 55°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.3") and December the driest (0.3").