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Weather & Climate in Kumamoto, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kumamoto enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 203 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 78.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 30 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.5°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 203 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Area | 150.4 sq mi (389.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,913/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.8059°N, 130.6918°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
393 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.1.
| Aug 8, 2024 | 2024 Hyuganada Sea, Japan Earthquake | M7.1 | 139 km | 24 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 6 km ESE of Kumamoto, Japan | M7.0 | 6 km | 10 km |
| Jan 13, 2025 | 15 km SE of Miyazaki, Japan | M6.8 | 135 km | 39 km |
| Oct 19, 1996 | 5 km SE of Miyazaki, Japan | M6.7 | 126 km | 22 km |
| Dec 2, 1996 | 17 km SW of Miyazaki, Japan | M6.7 | 127 km | 49 km |
| Mar 20, 2005 | 28 km NNW of Maebaru-ch??, Japan | M6.6 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Mar 13, 2014 | 32 km SSW of Hikari, Japan | M6.3 | 144 km | 79 km |
| Jun 11, 2006 | 15 km S of Tsukawaki, Japan | M6.3 | 56 km | 140 km |
| Jan 21, 2022 | 27 km SSE of Saiki, Japan | M6.3 | 126 km | 39 km |
| Apr 14, 2016 | 2 km SSE of Kumamoto, Japan | M6.2 | 2 km | 9 km |
| Mar 26, 1997 | 16 km NE of Satsumasendai, Japan | M6.1 | 102 km | 10 km |
| May 13, 1997 | 1 km WNW of Satsumasendai, Japan | M6.1 | 116 km | 33 km |
| Apr 14, 2016 | 5 km ENE of Uto, Japan | M6.0 | 12 km | 8 km |
| Apr 5, 2009 | 10 km N of Miyazaki, Japan | M5.8 | 112 km | 26 km |
| Apr 15, 2016 | 6 km S of Kikuchi, Japan | M5.7 | 17 km | 10 km |
| Apr 25, 2001 | 18 km SE of Saiki, Japan | M5.7 | 124 km | 33 km |
| Oct 19, 1996 | 19 km ENE of Miyazaki, Japan | M5.7 | 128 km | 33 km |
| Oct 19, 1996 | 25 km NE of Nichinan, Japan | M5.6 | 146 km | 33 km |
| Apr 2, 1997 | 19 km W of Satsumasendai, Japan | M5.5 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Apr 18, 2016 | 8 km NNE of Aso, Japan | M5.5 | 45 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
65 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Shanshan | Category 3 | 109 mph | 50 km |
| 2022 | Nanmadol | Category 3 | 104 mph | 36 km |
| 2022 | Hinnamnor | Category 1 | 81 mph | 286 km |
| 2020 | Haishen | Category 3 | 104 mph | 150 km |
| 2020 | Maysak | Category 2 | 92 mph | 264 km |
| 2019 | Francisco | Category 1 | 81 mph | 14 km |
| 2018 | Jebi | Category 3 | 98 mph | 295 km |
| 2018 | Trami | Category 1 | 98 mph | 193 km |
| 2018 | Prapiroon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 177 km |
| 2017 | Noru | Category 1 | 69 mph | 188 km |
| 2016 | Malakas | Category 3 | 109 mph | 154 km |
| 2016 | Chaba | Category 1 | 75 mph | 298 km |
| 2016 | Namtheun | Category 1 | 75 mph | 235 km |
| 2015 | Goni | Category 3 | 104 mph | 27 km |
| 2014 | Phanfone | Category 2 | 98 mph | 290 km |
| 2014 | Halong | Category 1 | 86 mph | 227 km |
| 2013 | Danas | Category 1 | 75 mph | 227 km |
| 2012 | Sanba | Category 3 | 104 mph | 263 km |
| 2012 | Damrey | Category 1 | 63 mph | 277 km |
| 2011 | Ma-on | Category 1 | 86 mph | 215 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
20 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 | 37 km |
| 1596 | BEPPU BAY, KYUSHU | Eruption + Earthquake | 8.0 m | 708 | 109 km |
| 1780 | SW. KYUSHU ISLAND | Astronomical | 6.0 m | — | 134 km |
| 1914 | SEIKAIDO | Eruption | 3.0 m | 63 | 136 km |
| 1769 | SW. KYUSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 2.5 m | — | 135 km |
| 1939 | SEIKAIDO | Earthquake | 0.8 m | 1 | 135 km |
| 1931 | SEIKAIDO | Earthquake | 0.8 m | 1 | 148 km |
| 1996 | KYUSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 0.6 m | — | 126 km |
| 2024 | HYUGANADA SEA | Earthquake | 0.5 m | — | 144 km |
| 1970 | SEIKAIDO | Earthquake | 0.3 m | — | 116 km |
| 2025 | HYUGANADA SEA | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 138 km |
| 1996 | SEA OF JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 127 km |
| 1984 | KYUSHU, JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 126 km |
| 1969 | RYUKYU ISLANDS | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 148 km |
| 1987 | KYUSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 0.0 m | 2 | 138 km |
| 1828 | AMAKUSA SEA | Earthquake | — | — | 78 km |
| 1781 | SW. KYUSHU ISLAND | Astronomical | — | 38 | 136 km |
| 1780 | SW. KYUSHU ISLAND | Astronomical | — | — | 134 km |
| 1715 | SEIKAIDO | Earthquake | — | — | 109 km |
| 1698 | SEIKAIDO-NANKAIDO | Earthquake | — | — | 109 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
9 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Unzendake (37 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Unzendake | Complex | 1,483 m (4,865 ft) | 1996 | 37 km |
| Asosan | Caldera | 1,592 m (5,223 ft) | 2020 | 40 km |
| Kujusan | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,791 m (5,876 ft) | 1996 | 61 km |
| Yufu-Tsurumi | Lava dome(s) | 1,584 m (5,197 ft) | 867 | 84 km |
| Kirishimayama | Shield | 1,700 m (5,577 ft) | 2018 | 98 km |
| Yonemaru-Sumiyoshiike | Maar(s) | 40 m (131 ft) | -6200 | 116 km |
| Aira | Caldera | 1,117 m (3,665 ft) | 2020 | 135 km |
| Fukue | Shield(s) | 315 m (1,033 ft) | -400 | 173 km |
| Ata | Caldera(s) | 924 m (3,031 ft) | 885 | 177 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 2.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (6°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 6.4 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 7.8 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 15.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 14.9 in | |
| August | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 in | Warmest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 7.0 in | |
| October | 65°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | Driest |
Kumamoto has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 42°F in January to 82°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 78.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (15.1") and December the driest (2.2").