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What type of climate does Beijing have?

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Map of eastern Asia highlighting China and its neighboring countries, with an arrow pointing to Beijing Municipality in northeastern China. The map includes international boundaries, disputed borders, and lines of control, and shows major surrounding countries such as Russia, Mongolia, India, Japan, North Korea, and South Korea. An inset at the bottom left shows the location of China within Asia. — Beijing Beijing city and municipality, China.

Beijing has a climate that is classified as the continental monsoon type, characteristic of the temperate zone.1

Because the city is situated in a lowland area protected by mountains, it experiences slightly warmer winters than other regions of China at the same latitude. The climate is marked by distinct seasonal changes:1

Winter: Long and cold, typically beginning in late October. It is dominated by dry, cold air from the Mongolian Plateau, with temperatures often dropping below freezing.1
Spring: A short, windy season that warms up rapidly. High winds during this time can lead to droughts, and dust storms are common in April and May.1
Summer: Hot and humid, as warm air from the southeast often reaches the region. This is the season of heaviest precipitation.1
Autumn: A pleasant, short season characterized by clear skies and comfortable temperatures.1

The annual mean temperature is 53 °F (12 °C), and the city receives an average of 25 inches (635 mm) of precipitation annually, most of which falls between June and August.1