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Weather & Climate in Kagoshima, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kagoshima enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 178 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 92.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 20 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 62.2°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 178 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Area | 211.2 sq mi (547.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,817/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.5667°N, 130.5500°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
713 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Aug 8, 2024 | 2024 Hyuganada Sea, Japan Earthquake | M7.1 | 93 km | 24 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 6 km ESE of Kumamoto, Japan | M7.0 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Jan 13, 2025 | 15 km SE of Miyazaki, Japan | M6.8 | 99 km | 39 km |
| Oct 19, 1996 | 5 km SE of Miyazaki, Japan | M6.7 | 94 km | 22 km |
| Dec 2, 1996 | 17 km SW of Miyazaki, Japan | M6.7 | 76 km | 49 km |
| Oct 18, 1996 | 20 km SSE of Nishinoomote, Japan | M6.6 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Jan 24, 1999 | 15 km SSE of Nishinoomote, Japan | M6.4 | 117 km | 33 km |
| Jan 8, 2019 | 16 km SSE of Nishinoomote, Japan | M6.3 | 119 km | 35 km |
| Apr 14, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Kumamoto, Japan | M6.2 | 137 km | 9 km |
| May 9, 2019 | 43 km ESE of Miyazaki, Japan | M6.2 | 125 km | 22 km |
| Sep 3, 2009 | 32 km WSW of Makurazaki, Japan | M6.2 | 70 km | 163 km |
| Apr 2, 2025 | 56 km ENE of Nishinoomote, Japan | M6.1 | 113 km | 29 km |
| May 13, 1997 | 1 km WNW of Satsumasendai, Japan | M6.1 | 38 km | 33 km |
| Mar 26, 1997 | 16 km NE of Satsumasendai, Japan | M6.1 | 41 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 2016 | 5 km ENE of Uto, Japan | M6.0 | 127 km | 8 km |
| Dec 16, 1998 | 22 km S of Kushima, Japan | M6.0 | 76 km | 42 km |
| Jun 25, 2000 | 33 km S of Kushima, Japan | M6.0 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Apr 30, 1994 | 8 km SSE of Kushima, Japan | M5.9 | 72 km | 26 km |
| Apr 5, 2009 | 10 km N of Miyazaki, Japan | M5.8 | 96 km | 26 km |
| Sep 23, 1992 | 17 km SSW of Makurazaki, Japan | M5.8 | 57 km | 161 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
73 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Shanshan | Category 3 | 109 mph | 45 km |
| 2022 | Nanmadol | Category 3 | 109 mph | 9 km |
| 2020 | Haishen | Category 3 | 104 mph | 126 km |
| 2019 | Francisco | Category 1 | 81 mph | 100 km |
| 2018 | Jebi | Category 3 | 98 mph | 255 km |
| 2018 | Trami | Category 2 | 98 mph | 123 km |
| 2018 | Soulik | Category 2 | 98 mph | 273 km |
| 2018 | Prapiroon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 225 km |
| 2017 | Noru | Category 1 | 81 mph | 97 km |
| 2016 | Malakas | Category 3 | 109 mph | 41 km |
| 2016 | Namtheun | Category 2 | 81 mph | 105 km |
| 2015 | Goni | Category 3 | 104 mph | 52 km |
| 2014 | Phanfone | Category 3 | 98 mph | 193 km |
| 2014 | Halong | Category 1 | 86 mph | 187 km |
| 2012 | Sanba | Category 3 | 104 mph | 261 km |
| 2012 | Guchol | Category 1 | 81 mph | 235 km |
| 2012 | Damrey | Category 1 | 63 mph | 182 km |
| 2012 | Jelawat | Category 1 | 98 mph | 288 km |
| 2011 | Roke | Category 4 | 98 mph | 293 km |
| 2011 | Ma-on | Category 1 | 86 mph | 215 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
19 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 55.0 m (180 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1792 | SHIMABARA BAY, KYUSHU ISLAND | Landslide | 55.0 m | 15,000 | 134 km |
| 1780 | SW. KYUSHU ISLAND | Astronomical | 6.0 m | — | 15 km |
| 1662 | HIUGANADA | Earthquake | 5.0 m | 200 | 138 km |
| 1914 | SEIKAIDO | Eruption | 3.0 m | 63 | 12 km |
| 1961 | SEIKAIDO | Earthquake | 0.7 m | 2 | 119 km |
| 1996 | KYUSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 0.6 m | — | 94 km |
| 2024 | HYUGANADA SEA | Earthquake | 0.5 m | — | 94 km |
| 1970 | SEIKAIDO | Earthquake | 0.3 m | — | 129 km |
| 1899 | SEIKAIDO | Earthquake | 0.3 m | — | 142 km |
| 2025 | HYUGANADA SEA | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 100 km |
| 1996 | SEA OF JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 76 km |
| 1996 | KYUSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 123 km |
| 1987 | KYUSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 0.0 m | 2 | 132 km |
| 1828 | AMAKUSA SEA | Earthquake | — | — | 130 km |
| 1781 | SW. KYUSHU ISLAND | Astronomical | — | 38 | 12 km |
| 1780 | SW. KYUSHU ISLAND | Astronomical | — | — | 15 km |
| 1619 | YATSUSHIRO, JAPAN | Earthquake | — | — | 104 km |
| 766 | N. KAGOSHIMA BAY | Astronomical | — | — | 15 km |
| 744 | SW. KYUSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | — | 1,520 | 93 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
10 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Aira (11 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Aira | Caldera | 1,117 m (3,665 ft) | 2020 | 11 km |
| Yonemaru-Sumiyoshiike | Maar(s) | 40 m (131 ft) | -6200 | 23 km |
| Ata | Caldera(s) | 924 m (3,031 ft) | 885 | 39 km |
| Kirishimayama | Shield | 1,700 m (5,577 ft) | 2018 | 50 km |
| Kikai | Caldera | 704 m (2,310 ft) | 2020 | 89 km |
| Kuchinoerabujima | Stratovolcano(es) | 657 m (2,156 ft) | 2020 | 129 km |
| Unzendake | Complex | 1,483 m (4,865 ft) | 1996 | 135 km |
| Asosan | Caldera | 1,592 m (5,223 ft) | 2020 | 156 km |
| Kujusan | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,791 m (5,876 ft) | 1996 | 181 km |
| Kuchinoshima | Stratovolcano(es) | 628 m (2,060 ft) | 1190 | 188 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 6.5 in | |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 8.9 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 9.8 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 17.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 13.4 in | |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 9.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 8.7 in | |
| October | 67°F (19°C) | 4.4 in | |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
Kagoshima has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 44°F in January to 80°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 92.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (17.4") and December the driest (3.0").