Weather in Okayama

Planning your day in the city of Okayama? Check out the most up-to-date weather data, forecasts, and useful charts right here.

The city of Okayama in Japan is characterized by a humid subtropical climate, belonging to the temperate type, with four clearly defined seasons. Visitors can expect warm and humid weather in summer, mild and pleasant spring and autumn, as well as cool and relatively dry winter. Noticeable seasonal fluctuations in temperature and precipitation occur throughout the year.

Summer in Okayama (June-August) is the hottest time of the year, with average temperatures reaching 28°C in August, and maximums potentially rising above 31°C. This period is also the wettest, especially July, when about 8 mm of precipitation falls and there are approximately 16 rainy days. Winter (December-February) is quite mild, with average temperatures around 5-7°C and minimal precipitation (1-2 mm). Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer comfortable temperatures for walking and exploring the city, with gradual warming in spring and cooling in autumn.

The climate in Okayama is characterized by clearly defined seasons with noticeable temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The hottest month is August, when the average air temperature is 28.0°C, and daily highs often reach 31.3°C. The coldest month is traditionally considered to be January: the average temperature during this period drops to 5.1°C, and minimum nighttime values can reach 1.4°C, indicating a cool winter.

Summer in Okayama, covering mainly June, July, and August, is distinguished by hot weather. In June, the average temperature is 22.2°C, gradually rising towards July (average 26.5°C) and peaking in August. Daytime heat, when the thermometer rises to 29-31°C, is complemented by very warm nights, with minimum temperatures around 23-24°C. This creates a sensation of consistently warm, sometimes sultry weather. Spring months, such as April (average 13.9°C) and May (average 18.4°C), bring pleasant and comfortable warmth, ideally suited for walks and getting to know the city.

The winter period in Okayama, from December to February, is characterized by cool weather, but without severe frosts. Average daytime temperatures in December (max 10.4°C) and January (max 8.8°C) remain above freezing, however, nighttime temperatures regularly drop to 1-3°C. Temperature fluctuations between day and night are most noticeable in the transitional seasons. For example, in April, the difference between the average maximum (18.5°C) and minimum (9.4°C) temperature is about 9°C. In autumn, for instance in October, a noticeable diurnal temperature variation is also observed: from average daytime highs of 21.9°C to nighttime lows of 14.4°C.

In Okayama, a fairly clear seasonality in precipitation distribution is observed throughout the year. The city experiences a wetter summer period and a comparatively dry winter, with transitional spring and autumn months characterized by moderate amounts of precipitation.

The wettest month in Okayama is July, when an average of 8 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of rainy days reaches approximately 16. June, August, and September also belong to the wet season, with precipitation levels around 6 mm and 13-14 rainy days in each of these months. During the summer period, precipitation can be quite frequent, implying both the possibility of short-term downpours and more prolonged rains.

On the other hand, winter in Okayama is significantly drier. December stands out as the driest month with just 1 mm of precipitation and approximately 5 rainy days. January and November are also characterized by low precipitation levels (2 mm) and a small number of wet days (about 6). Although winter temperatures can drop to values at which snow is possible, the total amount of precipitation in these months is small, indicating that if snow does fall, it will most likely be light and short-lived snowfalls or sleet rather than heavy blizzards.

When planning a trip to Okayama, it is important to consider the variability of the weather throughout the year. An indispensable item in your suitcase will be comfortable walking shoes, as the city is perfect for walking tours. The principle of layering in clothing is your best ally, allowing you to easily adapt to temperature changes that can happen even within a single day, especially during the transitional seasons.

In winter (from December to February), it is quite cool in Okayama; average temperatures hover around 5-7°C, and minimums can drop to 1-3°C. You will need a warm jacket, sweaters, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Spring (from March to May) brings gradual warming: from an average of 9-10°C in March to a comfortable 18-22°C in May. During this period, it is worth taking a light jacket or windbreaker, jumpers, as well as an umbrella, since the number of rainy days increases, although the precipitation itself is usually moderate.

Summer in Okayama (from June to August) is warm and humid, with average temperatures reaching 26-28°C, and maximums potentially exceeding 30°C. This is also the rainiest period with the highest number of days with precipitation. Pack light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, headwear, and, of course, an umbrella or a light raincoat. Autumn (from September to November) is characterized by pleasant gradual cooling. In September, it is still warm, around 24°C, but by November the average temperature drops to 12°C. It is recommended to have a sweater, a light jacket with you and be prepared for possible rains, especially in early autumn.