Qingyuan Climate
Geographic Overview
Qingyuan (清远) is situated between latitudes 23° 26' 56" to 25° 11' 40" N and longitudes 111° 55' 17" to 113° 55' 34" E. It is located just north of the Tropic of Cancer, approximately 60 km (37 mi) from the urban area of Guangzhou (广州) and 200 km (120 mi) from both Hong Kong (香港) and Macau (澳门). Covering an area of over 19,000 km² (7,300 sq mi), Qingyuan accounts for 10.6% of the total provincial area. The region includes part of the southern Nan Ling (南岭), with more than half of its area being mountainous, and elevations increasing from southeast to northwest. Qingyuan borders Guangzhou and Foshan (佛山) to the southeast, Zhaoqing (肇庆) to the southwest, Shaoguan (韶关) to the north and northeast, Hezhou (贺州) in Guangxi to the west, and Yongzhou (永州) and Chenzhou (郴州) in Hunan to the north.
Climate Characteristics
Qingyuan experiences a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate. The average annual temperature is 20.7 °C (69.3 °F), with an annual rainfall of about 1,900 mm (75 in), 1,662.2 hours of sunshine, and a frost-free period lasting 314.4 days.
Seasonal Climate Characteristics
Spring
Spring primarily spans from March to April, with Lianzhou (连州) experiencing it from March to May. Temperatures gradually rise, averaging 18°C to 19°C, which is 6°C to 9°C higher than in winter. However, the frequent alternation of cold and warm air can lead to unpredictable weather. During particularly cold years, spring chills can occur. Rainfall increases significantly, with an average of 630 mm to 789 mm from March to May, accounting for 40% of annual rainfall. This season is characterized by fog and minimal sunshine, making it the foggiest and least sunny time of the year, with an average of 40 to 50 days of light fog or fog. Strong convective weather events such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail are common.
Summer
Summer, the longest season, lasts from May to September. Heavy rain is frequent, with thunderstorms often occurring in the afternoons. From June to August, days with rainfall exceeding 50 mm constitute 35% to 44% of the annual total. Sunshine hours increase, averaging over 520 hours in most areas except for Lianshan (连山), which sees 471 hours. Average temperatures hover around 28°C, marking the hottest time of the year. July and August frequently experience high temperatures above 35°C due to persistent subtropical high pressure. Tropical cyclones often bring strong winds and heavy rains during this season, making flooding a major concern.
Autumn
Autumn generally occurs from October to November. Lianshan and Lian nan (连南) enter autumn in late September, while other areas do so in early October. This transitional season from summer to winter sees a gradual increase in cold air activity but with minimal impact on temperatures. Early autumn is marked by typhoon-induced rainfall, with precipitation decreasing significantly by October. Most years experience fewer rainy days, resulting in conditions prone to drought. Average temperatures range from 18°C to 22°C, with notable temperature differences between day and night.
Winter
Winter primarily occurs from December to February, with the urban areas and southern Qingxin (清新) experiencing it mainly in January and February. This season has low rainfall and short sunshine durations. Average monthly rainfall in urban areas is around 60 mm from December to February, accounting for only 9% of the annual total. Average temperatures drop to 10.3°C to 14.1°C, the lowest of the year. Days with temperatures below 5°C are common, especially in northern regions, which may experience snow and ice events historically. Low-temperature frost is a significant concern during winter.
