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Weather & Climate in Xining, China
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Xining has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 62°F in July. The area gets 308 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 15.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 7,464 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
62°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 41.7°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 62°F (16°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,464 ft (2,275 m) |
| Area | 2,937.0 sq mi (7,606.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 571/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.6255°N, 101.7574°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Shanghai |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
70 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.6.
| Jan 7, 2022 | northern Qinghai, China | M6.6 | 140 km | 13 km |
| Apr 26, 1990 | 141 km WSW of Xining, China | M6.3 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Apr 26, 1990 | 148 km WSW of Xining, China | M6.3 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jan 20, 2016 | 91 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.9 | 117 km | 9 km |
| Jul 21, 1995 | 76 km WNW of Lanzhou, China | M5.6 | 124 km | 13 km |
| May 7, 1990 | 143 km WSW of Xining, China | M5.3 | 143 km | 33 km |
| Sep 30, 1991 | 111 km SW of Jinchang, China | M5.3 | 133 km | 20 km |
| Jun 1, 1996 | 64 km SSE of Wuwei, China | M5.2 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Aug 13, 2016 | 98 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.2 | 122 km | 21 km |
| Jan 7, 2022 | 118 km SW of Jinchang, China | M5.2 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Mar 30, 2008 | 70 km W of Wuwei, China | M5.1 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Jan 7, 2022 | 125 km SW of Jinchang, China | M5.1 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2022 | 111 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.1 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Jan 20, 2016 | 96 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.0 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2022 | 108 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.0 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Sep 19, 2013 | 100 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.0 | 127 km | 21 km |
| May 11, 2012 | 55 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M5.0 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2022 | 109 km SW of Jinchang, China | M4.9 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 2024 | 37 km ENE of Mole, China | M4.9 | 138 km | 6 km |
| Aug 9, 2019 | 103 km WSW of Wuwei, China | M4.8 | 127 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.1 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 0.3 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 in | |
| July | 62°F (16°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.1 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.0 in |
Xining has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 18°F in January to 62°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.0").