Lanzhou sits in China’s arid-to-semiarid northwest, where annual rainfall is comparatively low but falls in short, intense summer cloudbursts rather than steady, gentle rain.
Strung along a narrow stretch of the Yellow River valley, the city’s steep surrounding hills concentrate any heavy rain into fast-moving runoff toward the river. Dry, hard-packed or loess soil common to Gansu sheds water quickly rather than absorbing it, so a brief but intense storm can trigger flash flooding well out of proportion to the total rainfall, making live radar useful for spotting fast-developing cells. Learn more: Flash Flood Warning Signs on Radar · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Lanzhou right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Lanzhou, Gansu in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Lanzhou, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Lanzhou rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Lanzhou?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Gansu are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Lanzhou or pass by.
Is this Lanzhou rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.