Kunming Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights
On this page, we’ll explore Kunming’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in China.
Monthly Temperature Averages
Kunming sees moderate fluctuations in temperatures, making each season distinct yet not extreme. Typically, maximum daytime temperatures range from a comfortable 26°C in May to a moderate 16°C in the coolest month, January. Nights are cooler, with temperatures generally dropping to 5°C, particularly during the colder months.
The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Kunming by month:
The minimum temperature is often recorded between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the highest temperature is usually reached at 3 PM. During this time the sun's heating effect is the strongest.
The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:
May, the city’s warmest month, also receives about 142 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 13 days. For more information, please visit our Kunming Precipitation page.
Annual Temperatures in China Compared
The map below shows the annual temperature across China. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
very warm
warm
pleasant
moderate
cold
very cold
Kunming Temperatures Compared World Wide
Kunming’s average annual maximum temperature is 22°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual temperature is around 21°C, resulting in warm summers and mild winters throughout the year.
Meanwhile, Queenstown, New Zealand, the average annual temperature is significantly lower at 10°C, with mild summers and cold winters.
In Shanghai, China, the annual average temperature is 21°C, offering warm summers and mild winters.
Perth, Australia, experiences a Mediterranean climate, with a pleasant average temperature of 25°C.
How are these Temperatures Measured?
Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.
This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.
Temperatures in the Mountains
Although not all regions have mountains, elevated areas exhibit distinct temperature variations.
- Sun Exposure: Sunlit slopes tend to be warmer, while shaded areas remain cooler.
- Altitude Effects: Temperatures drop by approximately 6°C for every 1,000 meters of elevation, creating distinct microclimates.
For more detailed information about Kunming’s weather, including monthly rainfall, sunshine hours, and humidity levels, visit our Kunming climate page.
Current temperature in Kunming
4 m/s
broken clouds and small chance of slight rain
3 m/s
partly cloudy and small chance of slight rain
4 m/s
partly cloudy and no rain
