Hami has a continental desert climate with extreme temperature swings between summer and winter. Summers (June to August) are hot — temperatures regularly exceed 40°C — but the low humidity makes the heat more bearable than it sounds. This is also melon season, when the city's most famous product is at its peak.
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer more comfortable temperatures for exploring the Ghost City and other outdoor sites. The autumn melon harvest continues into October. Winters (November to March) are cold and dry, with temperatures dropping to minus 20°C; the city is functional but bleak. The G215 road south toward the Lop Desert is best attempted between May and October.