Urumqi is located deep inland, belonging to the mid-latitude continental arid climate zone. Its characteristics include: large temperature differences and drastic changes in temperature; low precipitation, which increases vertically with altitude; long winters with uneven distribution throughout the seasons; strong winds in spring and autumn, and the presence of temperature inversion layers in winter. The plains and low mountains of Urumqi have many sunny days with little cloud cover and strong solar radiation; the growing season from April to October accounts for 75-79% of the total annual solar radiation. Temperature varies significantly across regions. The northern plains experience hot summers, the southeastern valleys are cooler, and the southern mountains have only a warm season with no summer. Average July temperatures: 24-28℃ in the northern plains, 18.6-25.5℃ in the Dabancheng Valley, and 8.5-11.5℃ in the southern mountains. Average January temperatures: -10 to -20℃ in the northern plains, -5.2 to -15.1℃ in the Dabancheng Valley, and -5.2 to -15℃ in the central southern mountains. July is the hottest month, with August occurring in some years. The average temperature in July is 23.5℃, with an extreme high of 42.1℃ (recorded in Xiaodiwopu on August 1, 1973). January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of -15.4℃ and an extreme low of -41.5℃ (recorded in the city center on February 27, 1951). Urumqi's average annual precipitation is 277.6 mm. Summer receives the most rainfall, with the southern mountainous area accounting for 50-60%, the northern plains 30-40%, and the Dabancheng Valley over 70%. Winter receives the least rainfall, with the northern plains accounting for 11%, and the southern mountainous area and Dabancheng Valley only 2-4%. The Dabancheng Valley receives the most sunshine hours annually at 3121.7 hours, followed by the northern suburbs at 2813.5 hours, then the city center at 2645 hours, and the high-altitude areas receive the least at 2488.8 hours.
On March 31, 2024, Urumqi experienced torrential rain that broke its record for single-day rainfall in March. The rain began at midnight on March 31 and by 8 p.m. that day, the cumulative rainfall had reached 37.2 millimeters. Previously, the highest daily rainfall in Urumqi in March was 27.5 millimeters, recorded on March 20, 2009.