Guangzhou Weather in December 2026 and What to Wear
Last checked November 13, 2026 against official sources. How we check
Quick answer
December is Guangzhou's driest month and the start of the cool season. The 1991–2020 averages are a high of 20.7°C, a low of 11.9°C and 33 mm of rain. On about 10 days the night falls to 10°C or lower, and buildings have no central heating, so bring a warm jacket.
Next steps
Key facts
| Average high / low | 20.7°C / 11.9°C (1991–2020) |
|---|---|
| Rain | 33 mm on 3.7 days with 1 mm or more |
| Cold nights | About 10 days with a low of 10°C or less |
| Coldest night, 1991–2020 | 0.0°C, December 23, 1999 |
| Pack | Long sleeves, a sweater, a warm jacket, a small umbrella |
How cold is Guangzhou in December?
December is mild by day and cool at night. It is also the driest month of the year. These are the averages for 1991 to 2020 at the Guangzhou weather station (WMO station 59287):
| December | 1991–2020 |
|---|---|
| Average high | 20.7°C |
| Average low | 11.9°C |
| Daily mean | 15.4°C |
| Rain | 33 mm |
| Days with 1 mm of rain or more | 3.7 |
| Sunshine | 152.7 hours |
| Days with a low of 10°C or less | 9.7 |
| Days with a low below 0°C | 0 |
| Highest temperature | 29.5°C (December 4, 2001) |
| Lowest temperature | 0.0°C (December 23, 1999) |
Source: WMO Climatological Standard Normals 1991 to 2020, Guangzhou station 59287, submitted by China.
For the weather this week, see the Guangzhou weather forecast, which shows today and the next 8 days.
Photo: Beryl Chan · CC0 DetailsThe months ahead
January is the coldest month, and February the wettest of the four. Use this table to compare months:
| 1991–2020 | November | December | January | February |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 25.3°C | 20.7°C | 18.7°C | 20.0°C |
| Average low | 16.7°C | 11.9°C | 10.6°C | 12.5°C |
| Rain | 37 mm | 33 mm | 51 mm | 56 mm |
| Rainy days (1 mm+) | 3.4 | 3.7 | 4.9 | 5.9 |
| Days with a low of 10°C or less | 1.2 | 9.7 | 14.7 | 9.1 |
Source: WMO 1991 to 2020 normals, Guangzhou station 59287. For the whole year, see when to visit Guangzhou.
What happens when cold air arrives?
Cold air from the north reaches Guangzhou in waves. In December 2025, each wave cooled the city for about 3 days, then it grew warmer again.
China grades cold air by how far the daily low falls within 48 hours (China Meteorological Administration):
| Level | Fall in the daily low within 48 hours |
|---|---|
| Weak cold air (弱冷空气) | Less than 6°C |
| Moderate cold air (中等强度冷空气) | 6°C to under 8°C |
| Fairly strong cold air (较强冷空气) | 8°C or more, low stays above 8°C |
| Strong cold air (强冷空气) | 8°C or more, low falls to 8°C or below |
| Cold wave (寒潮) | 8°C in 24 hours, 10°C in 48 hours or 12°C in 72 hours, and the low falls to 4°C or below |
Two waves in December 2025, from the Guangdong Meteorological Observatory’s province-wide forecasts (Guangzhou is in the Pearl River Delta), and one Guangzhou record from 2023:
- December 13 to 15, 2025: moderate-to-strong cold air. Daily mean temperatures were forecast to fall by 4°C to 8°C, with lows of 3°C to 7°C in northern Guangdong and the north of the Pearl River Delta on the mornings of December 14 or 15. It was forecast to grow warmer from December 15.
- December 24 to 27, 2025: moderate cold air. Daily means were forecast to fall by 5°C to 7°C in central and northern Guangdong, with lows on December 26 of 4°C to 7°C in the north of the Pearl River Delta and 7°C to 11°C in most other places.
- December 24, 2023: for comparison, the Guangzhou national weather station recorded 3.2°C (Guangzhou Daily, reprinted on the Guangzhou government portal).
Guangzhou also issues cold warning signals. A yellow signal means the temperature is expected to fall by more than 10°C within 24 hours, or the daily mean to stay below 12°C. An orange signal means lows below 5°C or a daily mean below 10°C (Guangzhou Meteorological Bureau). Warnings appear on the Guangzhou Observatory’s English site, tqyb.com.cn/en.
Is there heating indoors?
No public central heating. China’s heated zone is the north, and the north–south heating line follows the Qinling Mountains and the Longhai railway. Southern cities get through winter with air conditioners and electric heaters (Southern Daily, reprinted by the China Meteorological Administration, 2012).
In December this matters, because about 10 nights fall to 10°C or lower. Check that your room’s air conditioner has a heating mode (制热), and pack warm clothes for indoors too.
What to wear in Guangzhou in December
Photo: Matthias Rosenkranz · CC BY-SA 2.0 DetailsDress in layers. This list follows from the averages and the cold spells above:
- Daytime: long sleeves and a light sweater. Highs average 21°C.
- Evening: a warm jacket. Lows average 12°C, and on about 10 nights they fall to 10°C or lower.
- During a cold spell: a padded jacket or a coat, plus a hat or scarf if you are out early or late. Lows can reach 3°C to 7°C in the north of the Pearl River Delta.
- Indoors: warm sleepwear and socks, because rooms are not centrally heated.
- Rain: a small folding umbrella. December is the driest month, with rain on about 4 days.
- Shoes: closed shoes with grip. Tiled pavements get slippery when wet.
Planning a day indoors? See what to do in Guangzhou when it rains.
What do the official outlooks say about this winter?
These are two official seasonal outlooks and one official’s comment. Outlooks give the odds for a whole season, not a forecast for any day:
- Hong Kong Observatory (assessment as of October 29, 2026), for November 2026 to January 2027 in Hong Kong: normal to above-normal temperature and normal to above-normal rainfall. The Observatory says the El Niño has become a very strong event.
- China’s National Climate Center (November 6, 2026), for December 2026 to February 2027: Guangdong’s winter rainfall is expected to be 50% to 80% above normal. Across most of China, December is expected near normal to slightly cooler, and January and February warmer than normal.
- Guangdong Climate Center (a chief forecaster in a press interview, October 12, 2026, reprinted on the Guangdong Meteorological Service site; not a formal outlook): during El Niño, Guangdong often has a warm winter, but heavy rain, cold waves and strong cold air can still occur.
Guangdong’s own winter outlook was not out when we checked on November 13, 2026. The Hong Kong Observatory’s forecast for December to February is due around December 1, 2026. We will add both here when they are published.
What is on in December?
In 2026:
- Auto Guangzhou, the international auto show, runs until December 6 at the Canton Fair Complex. See our Auto Guangzhou guide.
- The Guangzhou International Light Festival runs from December 4 to 14.
- The Guangzhou Marathon is on December 20.
- Several big concerts are on through the month; our events calendar lists them.
Dates, venues and booking rules are in the Guangzhou events calendar.
Traps and how to avoid them
- Avoid Packing for the daytime highs and not the cold nights
Afternoons are often near 20°C, but a cold spell can bring lows of 3°C to 7°C to the north of the Pearl River Delta. Pack for the nights, not only the days.
- Avoid Booking a room that cannot be heated
Southern China has no public central heating. Hotels and homes heat with air conditioners and electric heaters, so check that your room's air conditioner has a heating mode.
- Avoid Planning your dates from the seasonal outlook
Seasonal outlooks give odds for a whole season. Check the 8-day forecast a few days before you travel.
FAQ
Is Guangzhou cold in December?
Mild by day and cool at night. The average high is 20.7°C and the average low 11.9°C. On about 10 days in the month, the night falls to 10°C or lower.
Does it snow in Guangzhou in December?
Very unlikely. The 1991 to 2020 normals record no December day with a low below 0°C. The lowest temperature in that period was 0.0°C, on December 23, 1999.
Does it rain much in December?
December is the driest month of the year, with 33 mm of rain on 3.7 days on average.
What should I wear in Guangzhou in December?
Long sleeves and a sweater for the day, and a warm jacket for evenings and cold spells. Bring warm clothes for indoors too, because there is no central heating.
Sources
- WMO Climatological Standard Normals 1991–2020, Guangzhou station 59287 (submitted by China; NOAA NCEI archive 0253808)
- China Meteorological Administration: the five levels of cold air (November 3, 2021, in Chinese)
- Guangzhou Meteorological Bureau on the Guangzhou government portal: cold warning signals and what to do (in Chinese)
- Guangdong Meteorological Observatory on weather.com.cn: cold air, December 13, 2025 (in Chinese)
- Guangdong Meteorological Observatory on weather.com.cn: cold air, December 24, 2025 (in Chinese)
- Guangzhou government portal, reprinting Guangzhou Daily: 3.2°C at the Guangzhou station on December 24, 2023 (December 25, 2023, in Chinese)
- China Meteorological Administration, reprinting Southern Daily: no public heating in the south (March 2, 2012, in Chinese)
- Hong Kong Observatory: seasonal forecast for November 2026 to January 2027 (assessment as of October 29, 2026)
- National Climate Center (CMA): 2026/2027 winter climate outlook (November 6, 2026, in Chinese)
- Guangdong Meteorological Service, reprinting New Express: El Niño and the coming winter (October 14, 2026, in Chinese)
- Guangzhou Observatory (Guangzhou Weather): forecasts and warnings in English
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