Climate - Kobe (Japan)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Kobe (Japan)
The climate of Kobe, a Japanese city in the southern part of Honshu Island, in the Kansai region, 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 will prevail, while in summer, they will be replaced by hot and humid currents of tropical origin.
Kobe is located on the coast, in the Seto Inland Sea, an area relatively protected from both summer monsoon and typhoons. The city is stretched along the coast, with a range of low mountains behind (the Rokko Mountains), while to the east, it is practically merged with Osaka and Kyoto, in a large metropolitan area called Keihanshin.
In winter, there are fairly 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 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) or above, 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.
Kobe - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 3.1 | 9.4 | 6.2 | 38 | 49 | 43.2 |
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| February | 3.4 | 10.1 | 6.8 | 38 | 50 | 44.2 |
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| March | 6.3 | 13.5 | 9.9 | 43 | 56 | 49.8 |
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| April | 11.4 | 18.9 | 15.2 | 53 | 66 | 59.3 |
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| May | 16.5 | 23.6 | 20 | 62 | 74 | 68.1 |
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| June | 20.6 | 26.7 | 23.6 | 69 | 80 | 74.6 |
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| July | 24.7 | 30.4 | 27.6 | 76 | 87 | 81.6 |
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| August | 26.1 | 32.2 | 29.2 | 79 | 90 | 84.5 |
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| September | 22.6 | 28.8 | 25.7 | 73 | 84 | 78.3 |
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| October | 16.7 | 23.2 | 20 | 62 | 74 | 67.9 |
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| November | 10.9 | 17.5 | 14.2 | 52 | 64 | 57.6 |
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| December | 5.7 | 12 | 8.8 | 42 | 54 | 47.9 |
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| Year | 14.1 | 20.6 | 17.3 | 57.3 | 69.1 | 63 |
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Rainfall is quite abundant, in fact it amounts to 1,280 millimeters (50 inches) per year. Winter is undoubtedly the driest season. The rainiest months are June and July, ie the first period of the rainy season (called Baiu). 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. Here is the average precipitation.
Kobe - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 40 | 1.6 | 6 |
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| February | 55 | 2.2 | 7 |
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| March | 95 | 3.7 | 10 |
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| April | 100 | 3.9 | 10 |
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| May | 135 | 5.3 | 10 |
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| June | 175 | 6.9 | 12 |
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| July | 190 | 7.5 | 11 |
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| August | 105 | 4.1 | 7 |
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| September | 155 | 6.1 | 10 |
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| October | 120 | 4.7 | 9 |
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| November | 60 | 2.4 | 6 |
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| December | 50 | 2 | 7 |
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| Year | 1280 | 50.4 | 106 |
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The amount of sunshine in Kobe, all in all, is decent in winter, but it never becomes very good, however, there are two relative maxima, one in spring (April-May) and the other in August, after the Baiu rains. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Kobe - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 4.5 | 145 | February | 4.5 | 130 | March | 5 | 160 | April | 5.5 | 170 | May | 6.5 | 195 | June | 5 | 145 | July | 5.5 | 175 | August | 6.5 | 200 | September | 5 | 145 | October | 5 | 160 | November | 5 | 145 | December | 4.5 | 145 | Year | 5.3 | 1920 |
The sea in Kobe 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.
Kobe - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 16.5 | 62 | February | 15.5 | 60 | March | 15.5 | 60 | April | 17 | 62 | May | 19.5 | 67 | June | 22.5 | 72 | July | 25.5 | 78 | August | 27.5 | 82 | September | 26.5 | 80 | October | 23.5 | 75 | November | 21.5 | 70 | December | 18.5 | 66 | Year | 20.9 | 69.5 |
From June to October (but especially from August to early October), Kobe may be affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia, though this area of the Seto Inland Sea is relatively sheltered (however, in September 1934, the city was hit by a typhoon that caused a lot of damage).
Best Time
As regards to the climate, the best times to visit Kobe are spring and autumn, and in particular, from mid-April to mid-May and from late October to mid-November.
The cherry blossoming in Kobe occurs around April the 3rd: even though in some years it can get a little cold, with highs around 12 °C (54 °F), you can also take advantage of this period.
In summer, August is partly preferable to July, having more sunshine and less rainfall, but it is also true that it is hotter and there's a greater risk of typhoons.
Kobe - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6.2 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) and a maximum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -4.9 °C (23.2 °F) in January 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) in January 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.8 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) and a maximum of 10.1 °C (50.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.5 °C (23.9 °F) in February 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it reached 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 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 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.9 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.5 °C (56.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -1.6 °C (29.1 °F) in March 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 10 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 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.2 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) and a maximum of 18.9 °C (66 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.0 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.5 °C (43.7 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in May 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
June is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.6 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in June 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 36.3 °C (97.3 °F) in June 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 12 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 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
July is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) and a maximum of 30.4 °C (86.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 37.7 °C (99.9 °F) in July 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 190 mm (7.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 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 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 29.2 °C (84 °F), with a minimum of 26.1 °C (79 °F) and a maximum of 32.2 °C (90 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it dropped to 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 38.8 °C (101.8 °F) in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 7 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 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 27.5 °C (82 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.
September is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25.7 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) in September 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 35.5 °C (95.9 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 12 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.
October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.0 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °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 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 31.9 °C (89.4 °F) in October 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 10.9 °C (51.6 °F) and a maximum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 25.5 °C (77.9 °F) in November 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.8 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 5.7 °C (42.3 °F) and a maximum of 12 °C (53.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) in December 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 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 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
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