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Weather & Climate in Zhaotong, China
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Zhaotong experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 273 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 34.7 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 6,476 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,476 ft (1,974 m) |
| Area | 8,663.7 sq mi (22,439.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 91/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 27.3167°N, 103.7167°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Shanghai |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
188 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.2.
| Aug 3, 2014 | 33 km WSW of Zhaotong, China | M6.2 | 34 km | 12 km |
| Sep 7, 2012 | 38 km NE of Zhaotong, China | M5.5 | 39 km | 10 km |
| Aug 10, 2004 | 16 km ESE of Zhaotong, China | M5.4 | 16 km | 6 km |
| Apr 4, 2014 | 95 km N of Zhaotong, China | M5.4 | 96 km | 25 km |
| Sep 7, 2012 | 40 km NE of Zhaotong, China | M5.3 | 40 km | 10 km |
| Jan 27, 2017 | 32 km SSE of Xunchang, China | M5.3 | 146 km | 32 km |
| Aug 5, 2005 | 106 km SW of Zhaotong, China | M5.2 | 107 km | 42 km |
| May 18, 2020 | 42 km W of Zhaotong, China | M5.1 | 43 km | 10 km |
| Apr 6, 2024 | 30 km SW of Zhaotong, China | M5.0 | 31 km | 10 km |
| Oct 13, 1993 | 102 km SW of Luocheng, China | M5.0 | 149 km | 33 km |
| Aug 16, 2014 | 91 km N of Zhaotong, China | M5.0 | 91 km | 10 km |
| May 15, 2019 | 91 km N of Zhaotong, China | M4.9 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Jan 18, 2017 | 35 km SSE of Xunchang, China | M4.9 | 148 km | 45 km |
| Jul 22, 2006 | 76 km SW of Xunchang, China | M4.9 | 86 km | 56 km |
| Feb 19, 2013 | 64 km W of Zhaotong, China | M4.9 | 65 km | 10 km |
| Feb 8, 2017 | 28 km W of Zhaotong, China | M4.9 | 29 km | 10 km |
| Aug 29, 2010 | 71 km W of Zhaotong, China | M4.9 | 72 km | 35 km |
| Dec 12, 2012 | 88 km WSW of Zhaotong, China | M4.9 | 88 km | 10 km |
| Jan 23, 2021 | 57 km WSW of Xunchang, China | M4.9 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Apr 15, 2011 | 95 km SW of Zhaotong, China | M4.8 | 96 km | 47 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1918 | YUNNAN PROVINCE | Eruption + Earthquake | — | — | 85 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 6.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 6.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 5.6 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 4.9 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 0.4 in |
Zhaotong has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 39°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (6.8") and January the driest (0.4").