Planning your day in Akita or just curious about the weather? In this section, you will find the latest information, up-to-date forecasts, and useful weather charts.
Weather in Akita
Current Weather
General Weather Overview
The city of Akita, located in Japan, is characterized by a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. Winters here are quite cold, with average temperatures around 0°C in January and February, and frequent precipitation, which is likely to fall as snow. Spring brings gradual warming: from a cool March to a milder and pleasant May. Summer in Akita is warm, and at times hot, especially in July and August, when the average temperature rises to 23-25°C. In autumn, the weather becomes cooler, creating comfortable conditions before the onset of winter.
One of the key features of Akita's climate is the significant number of days with precipitation throughout the year. Although the total monthly rainfall does not seem extremely high, be prepared for rain or snow (in winter) to fall quite often. There are particularly many "wet" days in the winter months (December and January), but summer, despite the warmth, is also distinguished by regular, though not always heavy, rainfall. This means that tourists planning a trip to Akita should have an umbrella or raincoat with them at almost any time of the year.
Temperature
The climate in Akita is characterized by distinct seasonal temperature fluctuations. The annual temperature range is quite wide: from frosty winter days to warm, and sometimes hot, summers. The coldest months are traditionally January (average temperature 0.3°C, with lows down to -1.6°C) and February (average temperature 0.8°C, with lows down to -1.4°C). The hottest month is considered to be August, when the average temperature reaches 24.9°C, and maximum daytime readings can rise to 27.3°C. July is also a very warm month with an average temperature of 23.3°C.
Summer months in Akita, especially July and August, are distinguished by warm and occasionally hot weather. Average maximum temperatures during this period consistently exceed 25°C. For example, in August, the average maximum is 27.3°C, and the average minimum is 22.5°C. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is not very large, usually within 4-5°C, indicating quite stable warm weather. June is a transitional month to summer heat with an average temperature of 18.7°C.
Winter in Akita, spanning from December to February, is characterized by low temperatures. In January and February, the thermometer often drops below zero, especially at night. Average minimum temperatures in these months are -1.6°C and -1.4°C respectively, and average maximums barely exceed 2°C. December is the prelude to winter with an average temperature of 2.4°C. Temperature differences between day and night in winter are also small, usually about 3-4°C. Spring and autumn months show a smooth transition between winter cold and summer warmth, with a gradual rise in temperature in spring (from 4.9°C in March to 14.4°C in May) and a decrease in autumn (from 21.2°C in September to 8.9°C in November).
Precipitation
In the city of Akita, there is a marked seasonality in the distribution of precipitation throughout the year. Although precipitation falls monthly, its nature and frequency change significantly from season to season. Winter months bring frequent precipitation, while spring is characterized by drier weather, and summer and early autumn are characterized by an increase in both the amount and frequency of rainfall.
The winter period, from December to February, is the season with the highest number of days with precipitation. December leads in this indicator, counting an average of 28 wet days, followed by January with 26 days. Given the low average temperatures in these months (for example, in January the average temperature is 0.3°C, and the minimum drops to -1.6°C), precipitation mostly falls as snow. Although the monthly amount of precipitation in millimeters is relatively small (5-7 mm), its high frequency makes winter in Akita a snowy period.
Summer months bring the largest volume of precipitation. July is the wettest month of the year, when an average of 8 mm of precipitation falls, distributed over approximately 18 rainy days. August is also quite wet, with 7 mm of precipitation and 17 rainy days, indicating a summer rainy season. The driest months in terms of precipitation amount are March and April, when only 4 mm falls. Spring also sees the lowest number of days with precipitation: in April, May, June, and September, an average of 14 wet days is recorded.
What to Pack
When planning a trip to Akita, it is important to consider the distinct change of seasons and frequent precipitation. Winter (December-February) is cold here, with average temperatures around 0°C and a significant amount of precipitation, which often falls as snow. Therefore, at this time of year, you will need a warm waterproof jacket, sweaters, thermal underwear, a hat, gloves, a scarf, and waterproof footwear. Summer (June-August) is warm, with average temperatures of 20-25°C, but also with high levels of precipitation, especially in July and August. For summer, choose light, breathable clothing, but be sure to bring a raincoat or umbrella. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons with moderate temperatures, but also with a chance of rain, so layering is the best choice.
Regardless of the time of year, it is recommended to bring a few key items for a comfortable journey around Akita. Given the large number of rainy days throughout the year (from 14 to 28 per month), a reliable umbrella or light raincoat is an absolute necessity. Since you will likely be walking a lot exploring the city and its surroundings, comfortable waterproof shoes are also very important. The principle of layering in clothing will help you easily adapt to weather changes throughout the day – a light jacket, fleece sweater, or cardigan will come in handy on cool evenings or during unexpected cold snaps.
In the summer months, despite cloud cover and rain, the sun can be active, so don't forget sunscreen and perhaps a hat. In the winter months, in addition to warm clothes, hand and foot warmers may prove useful, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. A first aid kit with basic medications is also always useful when traveling. A properly selected wardrobe will make your stay in Akita pleasant and comfortable in any weather.
Reached the end of the page?
That means the route is fully explored