In Niigata, a city of Japan, located on the northwest side of Honshu Island, in the Chubu region, the climate is
, with cold, damp winters and hot, moist summers. There is no dry season. Like the rest of Japan, the city is affected by the
: in winter, the northwest cold currents prevail, while in summer, they are replaced by hot and humid currents of tropical origin.
, cold winds from the Asian continent are loaded with moisture when passing over the sea, and hit the coast directly. In Niigata, the temperature is slightly above freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), the sky is cloudy, the wind blows, and
. On average, 140 centimeters (55 inches) of snow fall per year.
Waves of intense cold are rare: generally, the temperature does not drop below -5 °C (23 °F), although the cold is fairly constant and the air is humid. However, the coldest record is -10.6 °C (12.9 °F), set in February 1978.
While the presence of maritime air in the city makes great snowfalls rare, in the interior, already at low altitude, but especially on the slopes of the mountains exposed to the northwest, very heavy snowfalls occur, and meters of snow accumulate: it is no coincidence that this region of Japan is called "snow country",
(and in the mountains, there are several ski lifts). It snows a lot also on the neighboring island of Sado, at least in inland mountainous areas.
, periods of fine weather, hot and humid, alternate with periods of bad weather, with wind and rain, and sometimes (especially in June) cool temperatures at night. August is the warmest month, both because of the thermal inertia of the sea and because of the lower frequency of periods of bad weather.
is abundant: 1,800 millimeters (70 inches) per year. The (relatively) driest season is spring. In summer, when the monsoon is somewhat less intense than in southern Japan, there is a certain drop in rainfall in August.
in Niigata is rarely seen in winter, when the sky is generally cloudy. In the other seasons, the degree of sunshine is not very good, however, there are usually 5/6 hours of sunshine per day, with a peak of 6.5 hours in May and August, which, as we said, is the one with the best weather among the summer months.
becomes warm enough for swimming in August and September, while it is a bit cool in July.
From June to October (but especially from August to early October), Niigata may be affected by
As regards to the climate, the best time to visit Niigata is spring, from late April to mid-June, since it is a mild and less rainy period than the rest of the year.
in Niigata reaches its peak around April 13th. About a week passes between the beginning and the peak of the flowering. The blooming date can vary by a few days, or even a week, earlier or later, depending on the year. Even though in some years it can get a little cold, with highs around 9/10 °C (48/50 °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.
. Here are the average temperatures.
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of
3.1 °C, with a minimum of
0.5 °C and a maximum of
5.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-5.9 °C in January 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
11 °C. However, it reached
15.3 °C in January 1997.
Precipitation amounts to
180 mm, distributed over 23 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 18% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
16 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
11.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of
3.2 °C, with a minimum of
0.2 °C and a maximum of
6.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-3.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-5.9 °C in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
14 °C. However, it reached
21.3 °C in February 2004.
Precipitation amounts to
115 mm, distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
14 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
10.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
6.4 °C, with a minimum of
2.5 °C and a maximum of
10.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-3.6 °C in March 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
19 °C. However, it reached
24.4 °C in March 2004.
Precipitation amounts to
110 mm, distributed over 17 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 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is of
13 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
10.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
11.7 °C, with a minimum of
7.4 °C and a maximum of
16 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
2 °C. However, it dropped to
0.4 °C in April 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25 °C. However, it reached
29.4 °C in April 1998.
Precipitation amounts to
95 mm, distributed over 13 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 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is of
12 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
11.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
17.2 °C, with a minimum of
13 °C and a maximum of
21.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
7.5 °C. However, it dropped to
3.7 °C in May 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29 °C. However, it reached
32.9 °C in May 1998.
Precipitation amounts to
95 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is of
10 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
14.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
21.4 °C, with a minimum of
17.9 °C and a maximum of
24.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
13.5 °C. However, it dropped to
10.9 °C in June 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
30.5 °C. However, it reached
34.7 °C in June 2004.
Precipitation amounts to
120 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 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 6 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 of
9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
18.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
July is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
25.4 °C, with a minimum of
22.1 °C and a maximum of
28.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
18 °C. However, it dropped to
14.4 °C in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34.5 °C. However, it reached
38.4 °C in July 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
220 mm, distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
22.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
27 °C, with a minimum of
23.4 °C and a maximum of
30.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
19 °C. However, it dropped to
15.3 °C in August 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35.5 °C. However, it reached
39.9 °C in August 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
165 mm, distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
25.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of
23 °C, with a minimum of
19.4 °C and a maximum of
26.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
13.5 °C. However, it dropped to
10 °C in September 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C. However, it reached
38.8 °C in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
150 mm, distributed over 14 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 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
24 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
16.9 °C, with a minimum of
13.1 °C and a maximum of
20.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
7.5 °C. However, it dropped to
4.9 °C in October 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
27 °C. However, it reached
33.2 °C in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
160 mm, distributed over 15 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 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
20.9 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
10.8 °C, with a minimum of
7.2 °C and a maximum of
14.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
2 °C. However, it dropped to
-0.1 °C in November 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
21.5 °C. However, it reached
25.1 °C in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
205 mm, distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
12 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
17.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
December is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
5.6 °C, with a minimum of
2.7 °C and a maximum of
8.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1 °C. However, it dropped to
-3.4 °C in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
15 °C. However, it reached
18.7 °C in December 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
225 mm, distributed over 24 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 21% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
14 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
14.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.