Weather in Matsumoto

Planning your day in Matsumoto? Here you will find the most up-to-date weather information, including detailed forecasts and useful charts to help you organise your time in the best way possible.

The climate in Matsumoto, located in Japan, is characterised as temperate with four distinct seasons. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, offering diverse weather conditions for visitors. Winters here are cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing, especially in January and February, creating conditions for snow despite the relatively low amount of precipitation during these months.

Spring brings gradual warming, turning cold days into milder and more pleasant ones. Summer in Matsumoto is warm, and at times hot, particularly in July and August, which are also the wettest months of the year with the highest rainfall and number of rainy days. This summer period can be described as a season of high humidity. Autumn, in turn, brings coolness after the summer heat, with gradually decreasing temperatures and moderate rainfall, creating comfortable conditions for walking and exploring the surroundings.

Overall, the weather in Matsumoto offers a varied experience depending on the time of year. Travelers should expect cold and snowy winters, warm and humid summers, as well as mild and pleasant transitional seasons — spring and autumn. The number of "wet days" is quite high throughout the year, but peak rainfall occurs during the summer months.

The climate in Matsumoto is characterised by distinct seasonal temperature fluctuations, offering diverse weather conditions throughout the year. The annual temperature range is quite wide: from freezing winters to warm, and at times hot, summers. The coldest month is traditionally January, when the average temperature drops to -4.8°C. During this period, nighttime lows can reach -8.1°C, and daytime highs rarely rise above -1.4°C. In contrast, August brings the warmest weather with an average temperature of about 21.7°C and daytime peaks reaching 25.3°C.

The summer months in Matsumoto, especially July and August, are distinguished by warmth. Average daily temperatures fluctuate in the 20-25°C range, creating comfortable conditions for walking and exploring the surroundings. However, it is worth noting that summer is also the period with the highest number of days with precipitation (22-24 days in July-August), which may indicate increased air humidity. Winter, covering the period from December to February, is quite severe. Average monthly temperatures consistently stay below freezing, especially in January (-4.8°C) and February (-3.6°C). At night, the thermometer regularly drops to -7°C and lower, and during the day often does not rise above zero. Despite the small amount of precipitation in millimetres (about 4 mm per month), the large number of "wet days" (15-20 days) in the winter months indicates frequent, though not heavy, snowfall or frost.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) in Matsumoto are transitional seasons with gradual temperature changes. In spring, the air warms up from an average of 1.8°C in March to a pleasant 12.2°C in May. In autumn, a gradual cooling occurs: from a comfortable 18.1°C in September to a chilly 4.9°C in November. A characteristic feature of the Matsumoto climate is noticeable diurnal temperature fluctuations, especially in the off-season. The difference between daytime highs and nighttime lows is often 7-9°C (for example, in April the difference is about 8.9°C, in May – 9.3°C, in October – 7.9°C). This means that even after a warm sunny day, the evening and night can be noticeably cool, which should be considered when planning your wardrobe for the trip.

In Matsumoto, precipitation is observed throughout the year, although its intensity and total volume vary depending on the season. A characteristic feature is that the number of days with precipitation remains comparatively high throughout most of the year, indicating frequent, but often not very heavy, rain or snowfall. The highest amount of precipitation usually occurs in the summer months, while winter is characterised by the lowest volume of falling moisture.

The summer period, especially July, is the wettest in Matsumoto. On average, about 11 mm of precipitation falls in July, and the number of rainy days reaches approximately 24. June (with 9 mm of precipitation and 19 rainy days) and August (with 8 mm of precipitation and 22 rainy days) are also distinguished by increased humidity. During these months, precipitation falls mainly in the form of rain. Although it rains often, the total volume of precipitation suggests that there are rarely very heavy downpours.

The winter months — December, January, and February — are the driest in terms of total precipitation volume, each receiving an average of just 4 mm. Despite the low volume, precipitation during this period is quite regular: from 15 days in February to 19-20 days in January and December. Considering that average temperatures in these months drop significantly below freezing (for example, the average January temperature is -4.8°C), winter precipitation in Matsumoto falls mainly in the form of snow. November is also one of the driest months (4 mm of precipitation, about 14 wet days), when both rain and the first snow are possible.

The spring months (March, April, May) and autumn October serve as transitional seasons in Matsumoto. During this period, precipitation ranges from 6 mm (in March and April) to 7 mm (in May and October), with precipitation falling on average 15-16 days per month. This is predominantly rain. However, it is worth noting that in March, when the average temperature is about 1.8°C (with minimum values dropping below freezing), snowfall or mixed precipitation is still possible, especially at the beginning of the month.

When planning a trip to Matsumoto, it is important to carefully consider your wardrobe choice, as the weather here has distinct seasonality. The winter months (from December to February) and early spring (March) are characterised by low temperatures, often dropping below freezing, and although there is little precipitation, the number of days with it can be significant (likely snow). During this period, you will need very warm clothes: a winter jacket (preferably windproof and waterproof), warm sweaters or fleece tops, thermal underwear, as well as a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Insulated and waterproof shoes will also be extremely important. For transitional seasons, such as April-May and October-November, when the temperature can fluctuate greatly during the day, the principle of layering in clothing will be the ideal solution.

Summer in Matsumoto (from June to August) is warm, and in July and August it can be quite hot, with average temperatures above 20°C. At this time of year, light clothing made of natural, breathable fabrics will come in handy. However, keep in mind that the summer months, especially July, are characterised by the highest amount of precipitation and rainy days, so a light raincoat or compact umbrella will become your faithful companions. In spring (May) and early autumn (September), the weather is usually comfortable, but evenings can be cool, so a light jacket or cardigan will not go amiss. Regardless of the season, you will need comfortable walking shoes to explore the city and its surroundings. On sunny days, especially from spring to autumn, do not forget sunscreen and a hat.