Wuhan is one of the "Three Furnaces" of the Yangtze — historically among the hottest summer cities in China. July and August see temperatures regularly above 35 °C with high humidity; the city's nickname locally is huo zhou, the fire city. Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) are the best times to visit. The cherry blossom season in late March and early April is spectacular, especially at Wuhan University and on East Lake.
Winter is cool but rarely freezing, with grey skies and frequent drizzle. The Spring Festival in late January or February is a difficult travel period — trains book up months in advance, and many family-run restaurants close for a week or more.