Weather in Sendai

Planning a trip to Sendai? Here you will find the latest weather information, including forecasts and charts, to ensure your stay is comfortable and fulfilling.

The climate in Sendai can be described as temperate, with four clearly defined seasons. This means travellers can expect significant weather changes throughout the year, from cool winters to warm summers, making each season unique for visiting in its own way.

The city of Sendai experiences distinct seasons: winter (December-February) is quite cold, with average temperatures around 0-2°C and the possibility of frost. Spring (March-May) brings gradual warming, with temperatures rising to a pleasant 15-20°C by May. Summer (June-August) is warm and humid, with average temperatures in the range of 19-25°C, with August being the warmest month. Autumn (September-November) is characterized by gradual cooling, from a comfortable 20°C in September to a cooler 8-12°C in November.

Based on the data, Sendai has a relatively even distribution of precipitation throughout the year, although the summer months (June, July, August) and September stand out with the highest amount of rainfall (5-6 mm) and the greatest number of rainy days (16-20 days). This may indicate a wetter summer period. Winter months, conversely, are the driest, with precipitation amounts around 2 mm, although there is still a notable number of days with precipitation.

Sendai observes a significant annual temperature variation, reflecting the change of the four seasons. The coldest month is typically January, when the average temperature hovers around 0.2°C, and nightly lows can drop to -3.0°C. In contrast, the peak heat occurs in August, with an average temperature of 24.8°C and daily highs reaching 27.7°C. Thus, the annual range of average maximum and minimum temperatures is quite wide, which is important to consider when planning a trip to Japan.

The summer months in Sendai, especially July and August, are characterized by warm and humid weather. Daytime temperatures consistently exceed 20°C, and in August, they often approach 27-28°C. The average temperature in June is around 19.3°C, July is 23.7°C, and August is 24.8°C. Winter, from December to February, brings cool weather, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 3.4°C to 5.7°C. At night, frosts are not uncommon, especially in January and February, when the thermometer drops below zero (January average minimum is -3.0°C).

Temperature fluctuations between day and night are most noticeable during the transitional seasons – spring and autumn. For example, in April, the difference between the average maximum (14.9°C) and minimum (5.8°C) temperature is about 9 degrees. In May, this difference is also significant (20.0°C max and 10.9°C min). In summer, these fluctuations are somewhat smoothed out; the nighttime coolness brings only slight relief from the daytime heat. In the winter months, the difference between day and night temperatures is also palpable, highlighting the need for warm clothing for evening and night walks.

Precipitation in Sendai is distributed throughout the year, but there is a noticeable difference in its intensity and frequency between seasons. Although there is no distinct absolutely dry season where precipitation is completely absent, some periods are characterized by significantly less moisture compared to others.

The wettest period in Sendai is during the summer and early autumn months. The peak of precipitation falls on July and August, averaging 6 mm, while the number of days with precipitation reaches 19-20 per month. June, September, and October are also quite wet: about 5 mm of precipitation falls during these months, and the number of rainy days ranges from 13 to 16. Summer precipitation can take the form of intense rains.

The winter months – January, February, November, and December – are characterized by the lowest total volume of precipitation, around 2 mm per month. However, this does not mean a complete absence of precipitation. For instance, January sees about 17 days with precipitation, and December has 16 days. Given the low average temperatures in these months (0.2°C in January and 2.6°C in December), a significant part of this precipitation likely falls as snow or icy drizzle. February and November also receive 2 mm of precipitation but have fewer days with precipitation – about 11 days in each month.

When planning a trip to Sendai, it is important to consider its temperate climate with clearly defined seasons, which directly influences your wardrobe choices. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering your clothing. This will allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes throughout the day, which can be perceptible. Regardless of the time of year, be sure to bring comfortable shoes for walking, as Sendai and its surroundings offer many interesting places for hiking. Considering that precipitation is possible in any season, a compact umbrella or a light waterproof jacket will become your reliable companions.

In winter (December-February), it is quite cold in Sendai; average temperatures hover around 0°C, and at night they can drop below freezing. You will need warm outerwear (a down jacket or winter coat), a hat, a scarf, gloves, and warm layers such as sweaters and fleece tops. Although the total amount of precipitation in winter is small, it often falls as snow or freezing rain, so waterproof shoes with non-slip soles will be very useful. Summer (June-August) in Sendai is warm and humid, with average temperatures of 19-25°C. Pack light, breathable clothing made of natural fabrics, shorts, and t-shirts. Do not forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Summer months are also characterized by the highest amount of rainfall, so an umbrella or a light raincoat will be necessary.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons with pleasant but changeable weather. In spring, the temperature gradually rises from cool to warm, and in autumn, the reverse occurs. For these periods, a mid-season jacket and several sweaters or cardigans that can be taken off or put on depending on the weather are ideal. It can still be quite cool in March and November, especially in the evenings. September and October can be quite rainy, so keep your umbrella and waterproof jacket close at hand. Overall, the principle of layering is particularly relevant for spring and autumn in Sendai.