Located in the warm temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, Dalian enjoys a warm temperate continental monsoon climate with maritime characteristics, featuring mild winters, mild summers, and distinct four seasons. The average annual temperature is 10.5°C, annual precipitation ranges from 550 to 950 mm, and the total annual sunshine hours are 2,500 to 2,800 hours.
Located at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, Dalian is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the ocean significantly regulates its climate. Dalian has a warm temperate continental monsoon climate with maritime characteristics. The climate is mild and humid, with mild summers and mild winters, and a late onset of cold weather. With abundant sunshine and distinct seasons, Dalian's climate is generally comfortable and relatively humid, making it ideal for recuperation and convalescence. Spring is dry and rainy, with rapid warming. March saw a sudden change from warm to cold, but temperatures soared sharply in April, increasing by 7°C, 6°C in May, and 4°C in June. Average seasonal precipitation is around 100 mm, accounting for only 14% of annual precipitation. Some years experience continuous spring rains, and torrential downpours are not uncommon in May and June. Spring winds alternate frequently between north and south, with strong winds, mostly from the south. Sunshine is plentiful, with May boasting the highest number of sunshine hours of any month.
Being tempered by the ocean, Dalian's summers offer neither the unbearable heat of southern regions nor the scorching heat of inland northern China. The average summer temperature in Dalian is 22.6°C, with an average maximum of 26.4°C, decreasing gradually from west to east. Extreme high temperatures typically occur in June, but the high temperatures there are shorter, with a significant difference in temperature between day and night. Relative humidity is high in July and August, typically ranging from 83% to 91%. When temperatures reach 30°C, there's a feeling of oppression, but Dalian only experiences 10 to 12 days of daily highs exceeding 30°C, so the oppressive heat doesn't last long. Due to the ocean's influence, Dalian experiences more nighttime rain than daytime rain, especially in summer. Summer rainfall is concentrated, with more rainy days. Typhoons and heavy rainstorms often occur during this season, accounting for 60-70% of annual precipitation, making localized flooding more likely.
Autumn in Dalian sees a sharp drop in temperature, a sharp decrease in rainfall, and a dry, cool climate. With the arrival of autumn, the northwest monsoon begins to strengthen, bringing a rapid drop in temperature, a sharp decrease in the number of rainy days, and average relative humidity below 75%. The city's average temperature ranges from 19°C to 21°C in September and 11°C to 14°C in October, decreasing from south to north and from the coast to inland. Cold air begins to move south frequently in October, and due to the ocean's influence, the temperature drops more slowly in Dalian in autumn than inland areas. Seasonal precipitation accounts for approximately 16% of the annual total, with most areas receiving around 90 mm.
Dalian's Climate Characteristics: Dalian's winters are characterized by strong northerly winds, little rain or snow, and are cold and dry. In winter, the ocean acts as a heat source relative to the land, and Dalian's mild winter climate is largely due to the ocean's influence. Due to frequent cold fronts in winter, there are significantly more days with strong northerly winds. Strong northerly winds can be freezing cold, while weaker northerly winds can quickly lead to warmer temperatures.