Climate in Mito (Japan)

In Mito, a Japanese city located near the coast of the Pacific Ocean, in Ibaraki prefecture, one hour by train (Limited Express or tokkyu) from Tokyo, the climate is temperate, with quite cold but sunny winters and hot, humid 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.

The city is in a relatively favorable position: given the relatively low latitude (we are on the 36th parallel) and the protection of the mountains (the city is on the east side), in winter, the currents of Siberian origin are felt little, so there are many sunny days, and it's usually not very cold during the day (although at night, the temperature often drops below freezing), however, cold and windy periods, with highs around 5/7 °C (41/45 °F) or less, are possible. Snowfalls are usually light; on average, 18 centimeters (7 inches) of snow fall per year. The temperature rarely drops below -6 °C (21 °F), however, in 1963 and in 1984, it dropped to -11 °C (12 °F).

In summer, there are hot and muggy periods (though less intense than in Tokyo) but also periods of bad weather, windy and rainy, and sometimes (especially in June and July) a little cool, due to the northeast wind, called Yamase. August is the hottest month because of the thermal inertia of the sea.

Precipitation is quite abundant (even though it does not rain as much as in other areas of Japan), and amounts to 1,350 millimeters (53 inches) per year. Winter is the driest season, while the rainiest months are September and October, also because of the contribution given by typhoons. In fact, from June to October (but especially from August to early October), Mito can be affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of south-east Asia.

The amount of sunshine in Mito is good in winter (in January, there are no less than 6 hours of sunshine per day), while it is just mediocre or decent in the other seasons because of both the disturbances that occur in spring and autumn and of the summer monsoon. In summer, there are only 4 hours of sunshine per day in June and July and 5 hours and a half in August.

The sea near Mito, cold in winter, becomes warm enough for swimming from July to September.

Best Time

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From the climatic point of view, the best time to visit Mito is spring, and in particular, from late April to mid-June.
The cherry blossoming in Mito occurs in early April, a period in which it can be a bit cold during some years, with lows around 0 °C (32 °F) and highs around 10 °C (50 °F).
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.

The main tourist attraction of Mito is the Kairaku-en, the Japanese garden, considered as one of the three most important, together with the Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and the Koraku-en in Okayama. Since it houses a plum forest, an interesting time to visit is the plum trees blossoming, which normally occurs in late February and in March, when also the Mito Plum Festival (Mito Ume Matsuri) is held. It must be said that in this period it can get cold, and sometimes it can even snow.

Mito - Climate data

In Mito, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 26.1 °C (79 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1370 millimeters (53.9 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 50 mm (2 in) in the driest month (December) to 185 mm (7.3 in) in the wettest ones (September, October) Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 14.5 °C (58 °F) in February, March to
There are on average around 2005 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Mito - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.7 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of -1.8 °C (28.8 °F) and a maximum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -7.9 °C (17.8 °F) in January 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) in January 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.3 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of -1.2 °C (29.8 °F) and a maximum of 9.8 °C (49.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.9 °C (16 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) and a maximum of 13 °C (55.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in March 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.6 °F) and a maximum of 17.8 °C (64 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in April 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 29.8 °C (85.6 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
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.

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 22 °C (71.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33.4 °C (92.1 °F) in May 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6 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 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.8 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 17 °C (62.6 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 8.9 °C (48 °F) in June 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in June 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 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 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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July is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 24.8 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21 °C (69.8 °F) and a maximum of 28.5 °C (83.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in July 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.1 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 22.2 °C (72 °F) and a maximum of 30 °C (86 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it dropped to 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) in August 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 38.4 °C (101.1 °F) in August 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 9 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 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.5 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.4 °C (79.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in September 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in September 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 185 mm (7.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) in October 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 32.9 °C (91.2 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 185 mm (7.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in November 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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December is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) and a maximum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -6.5 °C (20.3 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in December 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.