Weather and climate in Sapporo (Japan)

In Sapporo, the largest city of the island of Hokkaido, located at 43 degrees north latitude, near the coast, the climate is semi-continental, with freezing, snowy winters and warm, rainy summers.
In winter, Siberian currents prevail, which pick up moisture when passing over the Sea of Japan, so the temperature is almost permanently below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), and it snows about every day or so.
Sapporo is one of the snowiest cities in the world. In a year, 4 meters and 80 cm (more than 15 feet) of snow fall. It typically snows from November to March or early April (during the mildest days, more frequent at the beginning and at the end of the period, it can also rain).
In February (usually, in the first ten days), the large amount of snow available allows to organize the Sapporo Snow Festival, which attracts millions of visitors to admire statues and sculptures made of ice.
During the most intense cold spells, the temperature can drop to -15 °C (5 °F) or even below. At the meteorological observatory, the post-war cold record is -21 °C (-6 °F), set in January 1954, while at the airport the temperature dropped to -25 °C (-13 °F) in February 1977.
In spring and autumn, disturbances pass quite frequently; while in summer comes the monsoon, but with less intensity than in central and southern Japan, however, it is capable of causing some periods of bad weather. In summer, the temperature is generally pleasant, but we can not exclude a few hot and humid days, with maximum temperatures around 30 °C (86 °F) or above.
Here are the average temperatures recorded at the airport.

In Sapporo, 1,100 millimeters (43 inches) of rain or snow fall per year; precipitation is particularly frequent in the cold half of the year, while the driest period is spring, before the summer monsoon. Here is the average precipitation.

The amount of sunshine in Sapporo is not very good: there is an average of 3 hours of sunshine per day in December and January, a maximum of 6 hours and a half in May, ie in spring (which, as previously mentioned, is the driest season), and a decrease in summer due to the monsoon, to about 5 hours and a half in July and August. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.



The sea in Sapporo is very cold in winter (but on the northeastern coast of Hokkaido, where a cold current flows, pushing the ice to the coast, it is even colder), and it remains cool in summer, even though it reaches 21 °C (70 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.

From June to October (but especially from August to early October), Sapporo may also be affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of the western Pacific, which mostly affect the southern part of Japan, and arrive here in the north more rarely and generally weakened. The fact remains that they can bring strong winds and abundant rains.

Best Time

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The best time to visit Sapporo is from mid-May to mid-September. In summer it is generally not too hot, however, especially from mid-July to mid-August, there can be hot and muggy periods, in addition, sometimes a typhoon can pass.
The cherry blossoming (Sakura) in Sapporo occurs around May 5, with some variability depending on year (the earliest one in the last 10 years has occurred on April 25, the latest on May 17). Although in some years it can get a bit cold, with highs around 8/10 °C (46/50 °F), you can also take advantage of this period.

Sapporo - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -4.8 °C (23 °F), with a minimum of -8.4 °C (16.8 °F) and a maximum of -1.2 °C (29.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17 °C (1 °F). However, it dropped to -22 °C (-7.6 °F) in January 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it reached 8 °C (46.4 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 22 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -4.3 °C (24 °F), with a minimum of -8.2 °C (17.3 °F) and a maximum of -0.5 °C (31.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17 °C (1 °F). However, it dropped to -23 °C (-9.4 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 5.5 °C (42.5 °F). However, it reached 10 °C (50 °F) in February 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.1 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) and a maximum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10 °F). However, it dropped to -17 °C (1.4 °F) in March 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it reached 15 °C (59 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 18 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 67%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) and a maximum of 10.8 °C (51.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in April 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in April 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 12 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 63%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (49 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in May 1993.
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 33 °C (91.4 °F) in May 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.1 °C (69.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in June 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 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 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.3 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 18 °C (64.4 °F) and a maximum of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) in July 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in July 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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August, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.3 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 19 °C (66.2 °F) and a maximum of 25.6 °C (78 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in August 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) and a maximum of 22.3 °C (72.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in September 1992.
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 32 °C (89.6 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.7 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.6 °C (45.6 °F) and a maximum of 15.8 °C (60.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in October 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in October 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 14 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 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.7 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.4 °C (34.5 °F) and a maximum of 8 °C (46.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 34% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (54 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -1.8 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -4.9 °C (23.1 °F) and a maximum of 1.3 °C (34.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (8 °F). However, it dropped to -19 °C (-2.2 °F) in December 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it reached 13 °C (55.4 °F) in December 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.