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Weather & Climate in Karatsu, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Karatsu enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 203 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 73.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 23 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 60.7°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 203 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Area | 188.3 sq mi (487.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 625/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.4425°N, 129.9697°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
192 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.0.
| Apr 15, 2016 | 6 km ESE of Kumamoto, Japan | M7.0 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Mar 20, 2005 | 28 km NNW of Maebaru-ch??, Japan | M6.6 | 43 km | 10 km |
| Jun 11, 2006 | 15 km S of Tsukawaki, Japan | M6.3 | 115 km | 140 km |
| Apr 14, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Kumamoto, Japan | M6.2 | 100 km | 9 km |
| Apr 14, 2016 | 5 km ENE of Uto, Japan | M6.0 | 108 km | 8 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 6 km S of Kikuchi, Japan | M5.7 | 97 km | 10 km |
| Apr 19, 2005 | 8 km NNW of Maebaru-ch??, Japan | M5.5 | 29 km | 19 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 10 km NE of Aso, Japan | M5.5 | 121 km | 13 km |
| May 22, 1998 | 9 km NE of Bungo-Takada-shi, Japan | M5.5 | 145 km | 81 km |
| Apr 18, 2016 | 8 km NNE of Aso, Japan | M5.5 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 5 km WSW of Aso, Japan | M5.4 | 114 km | 4 km |
| Apr 14, 2016 | 14 km ESE of Kumamoto, Japan | M5.4 | 111 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 2016 | 4 km NNE of Uto, Japan | M5.3 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 5 km ENE of Uto, Japan | M5.3 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Apr 19, 2016 | 6 km NNE of Honmachi, Japan | M5.3 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 13 km ESE of Kumamoto, Japan | M5.3 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 13 km SSW of Ube, Japan | M5.2 | 124 km | 17 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 13 km E of Uto, Japan | M5.2 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Apr 16, 2016 | 8 km ENE of Kumamoto, Japan | M5.2 | 101 km | 9 km |
| Apr 16, 2016 | 4 km N of Uto, Japan | M5.1 | 103 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
56 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Shanshan | Category 2 | 98 mph | 109 km |
| 2022 | Nanmadol | Category 2 | 98 mph | 48 km |
| 2022 | Hinnamnor | Category 2 | 86 mph | 192 km |
| 2020 | Haishen | Category 2 | 98 mph | 95 km |
| 2020 | Maysak | Category 2 | 98 mph | 176 km |
| 2019 | Francisco | Category 1 | 81 mph | 84 km |
| 2018 | Trami | Category 1 | 98 mph | 291 km |
| 2018 | Prapiroon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 82 km |
| 2017 | Noru | Category 1 | 69 mph | 285 km |
| 2016 | Malakas | Category 3 | 92 mph | 250 km |
| 2016 | Chaba | Category 1 | 81 mph | 203 km |
| 2016 | Namtheun | Category 1 | 69 mph | 294 km |
| 2015 | Goni | Category 3 | 104 mph | 71 km |
| 2013 | Danas | Category 2 | 81 mph | 139 km |
| 2012 | Sanba | Category 3 | 98 mph | 188 km |
| 2007 | Usagi | Category 3 | 98 mph | 124 km |
| 2007 | Man-yi | Category 2 | 86 mph | 226 km |
| 2007 | Nari | Category 1 | 86 mph | 265 km |
| 2006 | Shanshan | Category 2 | 98 mph | 55 km |
| 2005 | Nabi | Category 3 | 92 mph | 44 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tsunami History
4 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 | 83 km |
| 1828 | AMAKUSA SEA | Earthquake | - | - | 94 km |
| 1619 | YATSUSHIRO, JAPAN | Earthquake | - | - | 120 km |
| 744 | SW. KYUSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | - | 1,520 | 126 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
8 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Unzendake (82 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Unzendake | Complex | 1,483 m (4,865 ft) | 1996 | 82 km |
| Asosan | Caldera | 1,592 m (5,223 ft) | 2020 | 123 km |
| Kujusan | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,791 m (5,876 ft) | 1996 | 125 km |
| Yufu-Tsurumi | Lava dome(s) | 1,584 m (5,197 ft) | 867 | 133 km |
| Fukue | Shield(s) | 315 m (1,033 ft) | -400 | 136 km |
| Kirishimayama | Shield | 1,700 m (5,577 ft) | 2018 | 187 km |
| Abu | Shield(s) | 641 m (2,103 ft) | -6850 | 191 km |
| Yonemaru-Sumiyoshiike | Maar(s) | 40 m (131 ft) | -6200 | 195 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 6.3 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 6.2 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 12.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 11.6 in | |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 7.3 in | Warmest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 9.2 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
Karatsu has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 73.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (12.1") and December the driest (2.8").