Guangzhou Weather in November 2026 and What to Wear
Last checked November 13, 2026 against official sources. How we check
Quick answer
November in Guangzhou is mild and mostly dry. The 1991–2020 averages are a high of 25.3°C, a low of 16.7°C and 37 mm of rain on 3.4 rainy days. Cold air from the north arrives in waves and can drop temperatures by 3°C to 9°C for a few days, so pack a light jacket.
Next steps
Key facts
| Average high / low | 25.3°C / 16.7°C (1991–2020) |
|---|---|
| Rain | 37 mm on 3.4 days with 1 mm or more |
| Sunshine | About 160 hours in the month |
| Coldest night, 1991–2020 | 6.1°C, November 29, 2013 |
| Pack | T-shirts, a light jacket or sweater, a small umbrella |
How warm is Guangzhou in November?
November is warm by day and mild at night. These are the averages for 1991 to 2020 at the Guangzhou weather station (WMO station 59287):
| November | 1991–2020 |
|---|---|
| Average high | 25.3°C |
| Average low | 16.7°C |
| Daily mean | 20.2°C |
| Rain | 37 mm |
| Days with 1 mm of rain or more | 3.4 |
| Sunshine | 159.7 hours |
| Days with a high of 30°C or more | 1.9 |
| Days with a low of 10°C or less | 1.2 |
| Highest temperature | 33.4°C (November 3, 2003) |
| Lowest temperature | 6.1°C (November 29, 2013) |
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.
The months ahead
Winter gets cooler and a little wetter from December to February. 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?
Photo: HMGiovanniV · CC BY-SA 4.0 DetailsCold air from the north reaches Guangzhou in waves from November. Each wave cools the city for a few days, then it warms up 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 cold spells from November 2025 show what this looks like in Guangzhou:
- November 17 to 22, 2025: the first strong cold air of the autumn. The Guangzhou Observatory expected the daily mean temperature to fall by 7°C to 9°C, with temperatures of only 10°C to 16°C on November 18 and 19. From November 21 it grew warmer again (Guangzhou Daily, reprinted on the city’s health portal).
- November 25 to 27, 2025: weaker cold air, a week later. The forecast for November 26 was 11°C to 23°C and sunny (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 November this rarely matters, because nights stay around 17°C. During a cold spell, a room without heating can feel colder than the outside numbers suggest. Check that your room’s air conditioner has a heating mode (制热).
What to wear in Guangzhou in November
Photo: Matthias Rosenkranz · CC BY-SA 2.0 DetailsDress in layers you can take off. This list follows from the averages above:
- Daytime: T-shirts or light shirts. Highs average 25°C, and about 2 days in the month reach 30°C.
- Evening: a light jacket, cardigan or sweater. Lows average 17°C.
- During a cold spell: one warmer layer, such as a fleece or a light padded jacket, for lows around 10°C to 13°C.
- Rain: a small folding umbrella. Rain is light most of the month.
- 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. We will add it here when it is published.
What is on in November?
November is a busy month at the Pazhou exhibition halls. In 2026:
- Auto Guangzhou, the international auto show, runs from November 27 to December 6. See our Auto Guangzhou guide.
- Several trade fairs run at the Canton Fair Complex through the month; our events calendar lists them.
Concerts, matches and fairs that affect hotels and traffic are in the Guangzhou events calendar.
Traps and how to avoid them
- Avoid Packing only summer clothes because the averages look warm
A cold spell can take night temperatures down to about 10°C for a few days, and buildings have no central heating. Bring one warm layer.
- 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 November?
No. The average high is 25.3°C and the average low 16.7°C. On about one day in the month, the night falls to 10°C or lower, usually during a cold spell.
Does it rain a lot in November?
No. November is one of the driest months, with 37 mm of rain on 3.4 days on average. Heavy rain of 10 mm or more falls on about one day.
Do I need a coat in November?
A light jacket or sweater is enough for most days. Add a warmer layer if a cold spell is forecast for your dates.
Is there heating in Guangzhou hotels?
There is no central heating in southern China. Rooms are usually heated with the air conditioner's heating mode or an electric heater.
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)
- Guangzhou health science portal, reprinting Guangzhou Daily: strong cold air, November 17, 2025 (in Chinese)
- Guangzhou government portal, reprinting Guangzhou Daily: cold air arrives often, November 25, 2025 (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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