Climate - Kitakyushu (Japan)

The climate of Kitakyushu, a city located on the north coast of Kyushu (the southernmost of the major Japanese islands), in Fukuoka Prefecture, 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 in the Japanese western side. There are quite mild periods, with highs above 10 °C (50 °F), alternating with 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.
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.
Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall is abundant, in fact, it amounts to 1,700 millimeters (67 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 in southern Japan is felt in a remarkable way. 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 is not very good, however, there are two relative maxima, one in spring (April-May) and the other in August, after the Baiu rains. In October, after the summer rains, the amount of sunshine increases a little as well. In winter, on the contrary, the sky is often cloudy. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.



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

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

Best Time

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The best times to visit Kitakyushu 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 Kitakyushu occurs around March 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.

Kitakyushu - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Kitakyushu is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.3 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.9 °F) and a maximum of 8.8 °C (47.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in January 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in January 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 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 Kitakyushu is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.9 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 4.3 °C (39.8 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in February 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 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 Kitakyushu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.0 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 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 66%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 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 Kitakyushu is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in April 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 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 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 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 Kitakyushu is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) and a maximum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in May 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in May 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 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 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 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 Kitakyushu is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) and a maximum of 24.9 °C (76.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in June 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 270 mm (10.6 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 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 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 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 Kitakyushu is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 24.8 °C (76.7 °F) and a maximum of 28.9 °C (84.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it dropped to 19 °C (66.2 °F) in July 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in July 2013.
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 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. 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 Kitakyushu is usually very hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 28.1 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 26 °C (78.9 °F) and a maximum of 30.2 °C (86.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it dropped to 19 °C (66.2 °F) in August 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in August 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 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 Kitakyushu is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 24.6 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 22.5 °C (72.4 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in September 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 185 mm (7.3 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 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 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 Kitakyushu is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 17 °C (62.6 °F) and a maximum of 22 °C (71.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in October 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 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 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 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 Kitakyushu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.9 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.4 °F) and a maximum of 16.5 °C (61.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in November 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in November 2015.
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 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 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 Kitakyushu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 6 °C (42.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in December 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.