Weather in Sapporo

Stay up to date with the current weather conditions in Sapporo. In this section, you will find fresh data, forecasts, and useful charts to help you plan your time in the city perfectly.

The climate in Sapporo, located in Japan, is characterized as humid continental, with four distinct seasons. The city is known for its cold, snowy winters and warm, sometimes humid summers. The transitional seasons – spring and autumn – offer milder and more comfortable temperatures, making these periods popular for visiting.

Winters in Sapporo generally begin in November and last until March, with average temperatures significantly below freezing, especially in January (around -5.4°C) and February (around -4.7°C). This period is distinguished by a high number of days with precipitation, predominantly in the form of snow, making the city a famous winter resort. Summer, from June to August, is warm, with average temperatures ranging from 16°C to 21.7°C, with July and August being the warmest months. Rainfall is moderate but distributed over several days.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are transitional seasons with pleasant weather. Temperatures in spring rise gradually from cool in April (around 6.1°C) to mild in May (around 12.0°C). In autumn, a gradual cooling is observed: September is still quite warm (around 18.1°C), while in October the average temperature drops to 11.7°C. Precipitation is also possible during these periods, but it is generally less intense than the winter snowfalls.

The temperature patterns in Sapporo show significant seasonal fluctuations throughout the year. The annual range of average monthly temperatures spans from a harsh winter low of -5.4°C in January to a pleasant summer high of +21.7°C in August. The coldest months are January (average temperature -5.4°C, minimum -8.0°C, maximum -2.7°C) and February (average -4.7°C, min. -7.3°C, max. -2.1°C). Conversely, the peak warmth occurs in August (average +21.7°C, min. +19.1°C, max. +24.3°C) and July (average +20.8°C, min. +18.0°C, max. +23.7°C).

Winter in Sapporo is characterized by consistently frosty conditions. From December to February, average temperatures remain steadily below zero. Daily highs in January and February rarely exceed -2°C, while nightly lows regularly drop to -7°C or -8°C. Diurnal temperature variations in winter average 5-6°C, meaning a noticeable drop as night falls, but without extreme spikes.

The summer months, from June to August, bring warmth to Sapporo. The average temperature in June is +16.0°C, gradually rising to +20.8°C in July and reaching +21.7°C in August. During the day, the air warms up to an average of +19°C - +24°C, while at night temperatures drop to +13°C - +19°C. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is also within the 5-6°C range. Interestingly, spring months such as April (average +6.1°C, min. +2.3°C, max. +9.9°C) and May (average +12.0°C, min. +8.2°C, max. +15.7°C) show slightly larger diurnal fluctuations, reaching 7-8°C, as the daytime sun actively warms the ground while nights remain cool.

In Sapporo, precipitation falls throughout the year, but its character and intensity depend heavily on the season. The winter months, from December to February, are characterized by frequent, though generally not very heavy, snowfalls. Although the total amount of precipitation in millimetres during this period is small (2-3 mm per month), the number of days with precipitation is very high: December leads with 25 snowy days, followed by January (21 days) and February (19 days). This creates the famous snow cover for which Sapporo is renowned, ideal for winter sports and festivals.

In summer, from June to August, precipitation falls mainly as rain. August is the wettest month of the year in terms of total rainfall, reaching 6 mm, with about 16 rainy days. June and July also see 4 mm of precipitation each, but the number of rainy days is slightly lower (14 and 12 respectively). In autumn, rain is also observed in September and October (4 mm each), with moderate frequency (13-16 rainy days). November shows a transition to the winter season: precipitation remains at 4 mm, but the number of days with precipitation rises sharply to 20, and as temperatures drop, it increasingly falls as snow.

Spring months also bring precipitation, primarily in the form of rain. In March (3 mm of precipitation, 13 days), snowfalls are still possible, especially at the beginning of the month, as the average temperature is close to zero and minimum temperatures are still negative. April and May are rainy months, where April sees only 2 mm of precipitation over 11 days, making it the month with the fewest days of precipitation in the year. Although February also has a low figure of 2 mm of precipitation, the number of snowy days is significantly higher (19 days). Thus, in terms of the fewest days with precipitation, it is April, while in terms of total volume, February and April are the "driest" months of the year in Sapporo.

When planning a trip to Sapporo, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly, as the weather here has distinct seasons. The key principle is layering, which will allow you to feel comfortable as temperatures change. In winter (from December to March), Sapporo is very cold and snowy: average temperatures in January and February hover around -5.4°C and -4.7°C respectively, and the number of days with snow can reach 21-25 per month. Therefore, be sure to pack very warm, waterproof, and windproof outerwear (jacket and trousers), thermal underwear, fleece tops or woollen jumpers, waterproof insulated boots with good non-slip soles, as well as a hat, scarf, and warm gloves.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) in Sapporo are transitional periods with changeable weather. Temperatures in spring gradually rise from cool in April (around +6.1°C) to mild in May (around +12.0°C). In autumn, conversely, it gets colder: from a pleasant +18.1°C in September to +4.9°C in November, when the approach of winter is already felt and precipitation becomes more frequent (up to 20 days with precipitation). For these seasons, a mid-season jacket (preferably water-repellent), jumpers, and comfortable closed shoes are suitable. Do not forget an umbrella, as rain is not uncommon during these periods. The principle of layering will also be very relevant here, especially in April, May, October, and November.

Summer in Sapporo (June-August) is warm, with average temperatures from +16°C to +21.7°C (August being the warmest). Rainy days also occur during this period, especially in August (about 16 days with precipitation). Bring light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen. A light windbreaker or raincoat, as well as a compact umbrella, will help cope with summer rains. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for protection against the sun. And, of course, regardless of the time of year, comfortable walking shoes are your main companion in exploring Sapporo, as the city offers many interesting places for walking.