Cold Air Waves Bring Autumn Chill Across China

Successive waves of cold air are sweeping across China from 2 to 8 October 2026, driving temperatures to new autumn lows in many regions and bringing widespread overcast and rainy conditions to the south, according to Xinhua News. The forecast, issued by China Weather Network, warns that the weather system marks a decisive seasonal shift — and coincides with the peak of the National Day Golden Week travel period.

A Sharp Turn Toward Autumn

The cold snap arrived in stages. On 1 October, a first cold air mass pushed into central and eastern China, bringing temperature drops of 6 to 12°C across parts of Henan, Hubei, Guizhou, Hunan, and the Jiangsu-Hubei region. By 2 October, that system continued moving south of the Yangtze River, largely dissipating the lingering southern heat.

A new cold air mass began affecting the country from 2 to 5 October. According to the forecast, the Northwest, central-western Inner Mongolia, North China, the Huang-Huai region, and Jiang-Han will experience temperature declines of 4 to 6°C, with some areas seeing drops of 8 to 10°C. Accompanying the cold air are level 4 to 6 northerly winds, with gusts reaching level 7 to 8.

Cities Set New Seasonal Lows

Several major cities are expected to record their coolest readings of the second half of the year. Changsha’s high temperature may fall below 20°C for the first time this half-year, while Hohhot and Shenyang could see maximums dip below 15°C. Nanjing and Hefei will hover between 18 and 19°C.

Looking further ahead, the minimum temperature line at 20°C is forecast to retreat to southern South China by the morning of 7 October. Both Fuzhou and Guangzhou may drop below 20°C for the first time this half-year — a clear signal that the weather is turning noticeably cooler.

Widespread Rain Across the South

Rainfall is the other major feature of the system. Over the next three days, northern and northeastern China will see increasing precipitation, mostly light to moderate, with some heavy rain and localized rainstorms.

Southern China faces a broader band of wet weather. Eastern Southwest China, Jiangnan, and South China are expected to see heavy rain or rainstorms. Specific forecasts call for moderate-to-heavy rain across central Inner Mongolia, southeastern Tibet, western Yunnan, the Sichuan Basin, Guizhou, Hunan, and Guangdong on 2 October, with very heavy rain possible in southeastern Tibet, northern Guizhou, northwestern Fujian, and southern and eastern Guangdong.

The wet pattern continues on 3 October, spreading across central Inner Mongolia, southern Liaoning, eastern Southwest China, Jiang-Huai, and western South China, with intense downpours expected in central Inner Mongolia, southern Guizhou, northwestern Guangxi, northeastern Yunnan, and southern Sichuan. By 4 October, the focus shifts toward eastern Liaoning, eastern Jilin, southeastern Heilongjiang, eastern Zhejiang, northern Fujian, and parts of Yunnan and Guizhou.

Safety Warnings During Holiday Travel

China Weather Network issued a reminder that southern China will see mostly overcast and rainy weather over the coming days, with relatively large cumulative rainfall in parts of Guizhou and Hunan. Residents and travelers are urged to guard against secondary disasters such as landslides and mudslides. In the north, increased rainfall will make roads slippery and reduce visibility, prompting advice to carry rain gear and take extra care on the roads.

The timing is significant: the forecast overlaps with China’s seven-day National Day holiday, one of the busiest travel periods of the year. From 6 to 8 October, yet another cold air mass is expected to affect the country, with average temperatures across central Inner Mongolia, southern Northeast China, and areas south of the Huang-Huai region forecast to run 2 to 4°C below the 10-day seasonal norm.

What to Watch

For millions of travelers and residents, the coming week will bring a sharp, sustained transition from late-summer warmth to genuine autumn chill. The main risks to monitor are the cumulative rainfall totals in Guizhou and Hunan, which carry the highest potential for secondary disasters, and the impact of wet, cooler conditions on holiday traffic in both the south and the north. As successive cold fronts continue to move through, this week’s weather may well define the start of autumn for much of the country.