Qingdao is located in the northern temperate monsoon zone and has a temperate monsoon climate. Due to the direct influence of the marine environment, the urban area is influenced by the southeast monsoon winds, ocean currents, and water masses, resulting in distinct maritime climate characteristics. The air is humid, rainfall is abundant, temperatures are moderate, and the four seasons are distinct. Spring temperatures rise slowly, a month later than inland areas. Summer is hot and humid with frequent rain, but without extreme heat. Autumn is clear and refreshing, with low precipitation and strong evaporation. Winter is characterized by strong winds and low temperatures, which last for a long time. According to meteorological data covering over 100 years since 1898, the average annual temperature in the urban area is 12.7°C, with an extreme high of 38.9°C (July 15, 2002) and an extreme low of -16.9°C (January 10, 1931). August is the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 25.3°C; January is the coldest, with an average temperature of -0.5°C. The annual average number of days with a maximum temperature above 30°C is 11.4, while the annual average number of days with a minimum temperature below -5°C is 22.
The average annual precipitation is 662.1 mm, with spring, summer, autumn, and winter accounting for 17%, 57%, 21%, and 5% of the total, respectively. The highest annual precipitation is 1272.7 mm in 1911, and the lowest is only 308.2 mm in 1981, with an annual variability of 62%. The average annual number of days with snowfall is only 10. The average annual air pressure is 1008.6 hPa. The average annual wind speed is 5.2 m/s, with a predominant south-easterly wind direction. The average annual relative humidity is 73%. The highest relative humidity is 89% in July, and the lowest is 68% in December. Qingdao experiences frequent sea fog, with an average of 51.3 days of dense fog and 108.2 days of light fog.