Weather in Yamagata

Get the latest information about weather conditions in the city of Yamagata. Below you will find current data, detailed forecasts, and useful weather charts to help you plan your day.

The climate in Yamagata, Japan, is characterized as temperate with four distinct seasons. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, which is typical for regions with continental influence. Travellers should expect a clear shift in weather conditions from season to season, making Yamagata an attractive destination to visit at various times of the year depending on preferences.

Winters in Yamagata (from December to February) are cold, with average temperatures around or below zero degrees Celsius and frequent precipitation. Given the high number of "wet days" (especially in January and December, with 25 days each), precipitation during this period is likely to fall mainly as snow. Spring (from March to May) brings a gradual and pleasant warming. Summer (from June to August) in Yamagata is warm and quite humid; July and August are the hottest months (average temperature up to +24.0°C) and are also characterized by a significant number of rainy days (19-20 days). Autumn (from September to November) offers comfortable gradual cooling and a moderate amount of precipitation, preparing the city for the coming winter.

The climate in Yamagata is characterized by significant seasonal temperature fluctuations. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature drops to -2.0°C, and nighttime lows can reach -5.0°C. During the day, the temperature rarely rises above 1.1°C. February also remains cold with an average temperature of -1.1°C. With the arrival of spring, temperatures gradually rise: in March, the average temperature is 3.6°C, and in May, it reaches a comfortable 14.4°C.

Summer in Yamagata is warm and humid. August is considered the hottest month with an average temperature of 24.0°C, while daytime highs can reach 27.5°C, and nighttime temperatures hover around 20.6°C. July is also quite warm, with an average temperature of 22.9°C. In autumn, temperatures begin to gradually decrease: in September, the average temperature is 19.8°C, and in November, it drops to 7.1°C, heralding the arrival of winter. December brings significant cooling with an average temperature of 0.5°C.

Throughout the year, noticeable daily temperature fluctuations are observed in Yamagata, especially during transitional seasons such as spring and autumn. The difference between daytime maximum and nighttime minimum temperatures can be significant, which is worth considering when planning a trip and choosing clothes. For example, in April, the average maximum is 13.9°C, and the minimum is 4.2°C. In winter, daytime and nighttime temperatures remain consistently low, but even here the difference between the maximum and minimum is about 5-6 degrees.

In Yamagata, precipitation is distributed throughout the year, however, its intensity and frequency vary noticeably. According to monthly average data, the total amount of precipitation is not very large. The highest average amount of precipitation falls in July (7 mm), making it the wettest month by volume. The driest month in terms of precipitation amount is November, when only 3 mm falls.

If we look at the frequency of precipitation, the picture is somewhat different. Winter months, especially January and December, stand out with the highest number of wet days — on average 25 days in each. Given the negative average temperatures in January (-2.0°C) and near-zero in December (0.5°C), precipitation during this period mainly falls as snow. February is also characterized by frequent precipitation (19 wet days), mostly snowy. In summer, in July (20 wet days) and August (19 wet days), a high frequency of precipitation is also observed, which falls as rain given the warm temperatures. The lowest number of wet days occurs in the spring months — April and May, with 13 days in each, making them relatively "drier" periods of the year in terms of precipitation frequency.

Thus, we can speak of a distinct season with frequent snowfalls from December to February, and possibly in early March. In spring, the frequency of precipitation decreases, and it transitions to rain. Summer, especially July and August, is characterized by frequent, but judging by the total volume, not always heavy rains. In autumn, the number of wet days increases slightly again, precipitation falls as rain, with a gradual transition to snow towards the end of November.

When planning a trip to Yamagata, it is important to consider the significant seasonal weather fluctuations characteristic of this region of Japan. Winter (from December to February) is quite severe here: average temperatures hover around -2°C to 1°C, and nighttime temperatures can drop to -5°C. At the same time, there is a large number of days with precipitation (up to 25 in January and December), which at such temperatures most likely falls as snow. Therefore, your suitcase must include very warm, windproof, and waterproof outerwear, thermal underwear, warm sweaters, a hat, gloves, a scarf, and insulated waterproof shoes.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons. In spring, the temperature gradually rises from cool (average around 3.6°C in March) to comfortable (average 14.4°C in May). In autumn, conversely, it gets cooler. During these periods, the key principle when packing is layering: t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, fleece jackets, and a light but waterproof jacket will allow you to adapt to weather changes. Summer (June-August) in Yamagata is warm, with average temperatures from 18.5°C to 24°C. July and August also stand out with the highest amount of precipitation and "wet" days (up to 20 in July). Therefore, light breathable clothing, sunscreen, headwear, and definitely an umbrella or a light raincoat will be extremely useful here.

Regardless of the time of year, comfortable walking shoes are your main companion in Yamagata, as the city and its picturesque surroundings are perfect for long walks. Given the frequent precipitation throughout the year (from 13 to 25 "wet" days monthly), a compact umbrella or a light waterproof jacket will be a useful addition to your luggage in any season. Before the trip itself, it is always useful to check the current weather forecast to make final adjustments to your packing list if necessary.