Climate - Fukuoka (Japan)

The climate of Fukuoka, a Japanese city located on the north coast of Kyushu (which is the southernmost of the major Japanese islands), is temperate humid, with quite mild winters and hot, moist, and rainy summers. Like the rest of Japan, the city is affected by the monsoon circulation: in winter, the northwest cold currents prevail, while in summer, they are replaced by hot and humid currents of tropical origin.
The city is located at a low latitude (at the 33rd parallel), but close enough to the Asian continent to receive cold air masses in winter, which are able to lower the temperature to some extent.
In winter, the sky is often cloudy, as is common on the Japanese western side. There are fairly mild periods, with highs above 10 °C (50 °F), but also cold periods, with wind and rain, highs around 5/7 °C (41/45 °F) or less, and possible falls of sleet or snow. Snowfalls, however, are generally light, as are nocturnal frosts. In January 2016, the temperature dropped to -4 °C (25 °F).
Summers are hot and humid; there can be periods of good weather, with maximum temperatures around 35 °C (95 °F), tropical nights and high humidity, but also periods of bad weather due to the summer monsoon. August is the hottest month, both because of the thermal inertia of the sea and because of the lower frequency of periods of bad weather.
The highest record in Fukuoka is 38 °C (100.5 °F), set in July and August 1994, and in June 2004.
Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall is abundant, in fact, it amounts to 1,685 millimeters (66 inches) per year. Winter is the driest season, but only in quantity; the rainiest months are June and July, ie the first period of the rainy season (called Baiu), which is intense in southern Japan. In August, there is a certain decrease in rain frequency: on average, among the summer months, it is the hottest as well as the driest and sunniest. In the southwest of Japan, autumn is a decent season, and already in October, it typically does not rain much. Here is the average precipitation.

The amount of sunshine in Fukuoka is not very good, however, there are two peaks, one in spring (April-May), and the other in August, after the Baiu rains, with 6/6.5 hours of sunshine per day. In October, after the summer rains, the amount of sunshine increases a little as well. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.



In winter, the sea in Fukuoka is cold but not impossible to swim in for the more daring; it becomes warm enough, with a temperature of 23 °C (73 °F) or more, from July to October, and pleasantly warm in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.

From June to October (but especially from August to early October), Fukuoka can be affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia.

Best Time

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The best times to visit Fukuoka are spring and autumn, and particularly from mid-April to mid-May and from mid-October to mid-November. In autumn, the rains are rarer, but the days are shorter.
The cherry blossoming in Fukuoka occurs around March 28-29: even though in some years it can get a little cold, with highs around 10/12 °C (50/54 °F), you can also take advantage of this period.

Fukuoka - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Fukuoka is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.4 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) and a maximum of 9.6 °C (49.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 19.7 °C (67.5 °F) in January 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Fukuoka is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.3 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) and a maximum of 10.8 °C (51.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in February 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Fukuoka is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.5 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) and a maximum of 14.2 °C (57.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Fukuoka is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.4 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in April 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Fukuoka is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.9 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.7 °F) and a maximum of 24 °C (75.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 32.1 °C (89.8 °F) in May 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Fukuoka is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 23.7 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 20.4 °C (68.8 °F) and a maximum of 27 °C (80.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in June 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 250 mm (9.8 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 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 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Fukuoka is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.7 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) and a maximum of 30.8 °C (87.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (69.5 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in July 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 300 mm (11.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Fukuoka is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.6 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) and a maximum of 32.1 °C (89.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 210 mm (8.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Fukuoka is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.7 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.2 °C (82.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F).
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in September 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In October, the weather in Fukuoka is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in October 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Fukuoka is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 9.9 °C (49.9 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F).
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in November 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Fukuoka is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 5 °C (40.9 °F) and a maximum of 12 °C (53.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F).
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) in December 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 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 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.