Abashiri is a town of 35,000 inhabitants located in the far north of Japan, at 44 degrees north latitude. We are on the north-eastern coast of the island of Hokkaido, where the
flowing in the Sea of Okhotsk (Oyashio) even pushes the ice to the coast. Not surprisingly, in February a "drift ice festival" is held. In addition, the cold current can give rise to
, especially in summer, when it meets with warm air masses coming from the south.
The coastal area, where there are some lakes, or rather lagoons, that freeze in winter (Lake Abashiri, Lake Notoro and Lake Saroma), is protected in the
is moderate, amounting to 845 millimeters (33 inches) per year, but it is low by Japanese standards. In fact, Abashiri is the least rainy city in Japan, because the cold current inhibits the formation of clouds capable of generating precipitation. August and September are the rainiest months, due to the summer monsoon.
However, despite the fact that winter is the driest season, given the low temperatures and the long period in which it can snow, on average, 310 cm (122 in) of
fall per year. It usually snows from November to April.
, the temperature drops to -15 °C (5 °F) or below almost every year. The post-war cold record is -25.7 °C (-14.3 °F), set in February 1977 and February 1978. In the latter month, the monthly daily average was -11.9 °C (10.6 °F).
, temperatures rise with a certain delay, so that June is still a cool month, and September is almost as warm as July. Furthermore, we are in the coolest area of Japan, where the average temperature does not reach 20 °C (68 °F) even in the warmest month, August. As mentioned, in this season fog can form.
, in which the temperature can exceed 30 °C (86 °F), and occasionally 35 °C (95 °F). The heat record is 37.6 °C (99.7 °F), set in August 1994.
From June to October (but especially from August to early October), Abashiri may also be affected by
, the tropical cyclones of the western Pacific, which mostly affect the southern part of Japan, and arrive here in the north more rarely and generally weakened. The fact remains that they can bring strong winds and abundant rains.
(Sakura) in Abashiri take place during the month of May, with some variability depending on the year.
. Here are the average temperatures.
January is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of
-5.6 °C, with a minimum of
-8.9 °C and a maximum of
-2.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-15 °C. However, it dropped to
-18.9 °C in January 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
4 °C. However, it reached
8.9 °C in January 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
53.8 mm, distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of
0.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of
-5.8 °C, with a minimum of
-9.6 °C and a maximum of
-2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-16 °C. However, it dropped to
-19.8 °C in February 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
6 °C. However, it reached
10.2 °C in February 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
41.9 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of
-0.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of
-1.3 °C, with a minimum of
-4.9 °C and a maximum of
2.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-11.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-19.3 °C in March 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
11.5 °C. However, it reached
18.3 °C in March 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
39.3 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average sea temperature is of
-0.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
4.8 °C, with a minimum of
0.6 °C and a maximum of
9.1 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-4.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-9.6 °C in April 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
22 °C. However, it reached
31.9 °C in April 1998.
Precipitation amounts to
51.2 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average sea temperature is of
0.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
10.2 °C, with a minimum of
5.8 °C and a maximum of
14.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
0.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-3 °C in May 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
27 °C. However, it reached
35.4 °C in May 2019.
Precipitation amounts to
64.1 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of
3.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
14 °C, with a minimum of
10.2 °C and a maximum of
17.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
5 °C. However, it dropped to
2.5 °C in June 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
27.5 °C. However, it reached
32.5 °C in June 2005.
Precipitation amounts to
68.1 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of
8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
July is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
18 °C, with a minimum of
14.6 °C and a maximum of
21.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
10 °C. However, it dropped to
6 °C in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31 °C. However, it reached
37 °C in July 2000.
Precipitation amounts to
85.8 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of
12.6 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
20 °C, with a minimum of
16.6 °C and a maximum of
23.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
12.5 °C. However, it dropped to
9.2 °C in August 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31.5 °C. However, it reached
37.6 °C in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to
115.3 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of
16 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
17 °C, with a minimum of
13.4 °C and a maximum of
20.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
8 °C. However, it dropped to
4.8 °C in September 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
28.5 °C. However, it reached
32.2 °C in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
115 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of
15.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
11 °C, with a minimum of
7 °C and a maximum of
15 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
1 °C. However, it dropped to
-1.8 °C in October 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
22.5 °C. However, it reached
27.7 °C in October 2002.
Precipitation amounts to
88.2 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of
11.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
4 °C, with a minimum of
0.4 °C and a maximum of
7.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-6 °C. However, it dropped to
-9.9 °C in November 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
17 °C. However, it reached
20.9 °C in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to
58.1 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average sea temperature is of
6.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of
-2.6 °C, with a minimum of
-6 °C and a maximum of
0.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-12 °C. However, it dropped to
-16.7 °C in December 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
8.5 °C. However, it reached
14.1 °C in December 2008.
Precipitation amounts to
63.6 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 55 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average sea temperature is of
2.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.