Weather & Climate in Ōarai, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ōarai enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 72 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 56.3°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Area | 9.2 sq mi (23.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,702/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.3141°N, 140.5839°E |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
4,313 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.9.
| Mar 11, 2011 | 47 km E of ?arai, Japan | M7.9 | 47 km | 43 km |
| May 7, 2008 | 78 km NE of Hasaki, Japan | M6.9 | 86 km | 27 km |
| Apr 11, 2011 | 17 km SSW of Ishikawa, Japan | M6.6 | 78 km | 11 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 81 km NE of Hasaki, Japan | M6.5 | 89 km | 7 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 115 km ENE of Hasaki, Japan | M6.5 | 138 km | 49 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 108 km ESE of Kitaibaraki, Japan | M6.4 | 116 km | 32 km |
| Jul 30, 2011 | 13 km SSE of Iwaki, Japan | M6.3 | 77 km | 38 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | near the east coast of Honshu, Japan | M6.3 | 115 km | 25 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 92 km ENE of Hasaki, Japan | M6.3 | 116 km | 21 km |
| Jun 1, 1990 | near the east coast of Honshu, Japan | M6.3 | 91 km | 67 km |
| Jun 3, 2000 | 6 km SE of Narut?, Japan | M6.2 | 85 km | 62 km |
| Sep 11, 1996 | 23 km SSE of Hasaki, Japan | M6.2 | 92 km | 55 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 70 km ESE of Kitaibaraki, Japan | M6.2 | 86 km | 40 km |
| Apr 21, 2011 | 6 km WNW of T?gane, Japan | M6.2 | 86 km | 43 km |
| May 7, 2008 | 80 km NE of Hasaki, Japan | M6.2 | 88 km | 19 km |
| Apr 11, 2011 | 23 km SE of T?gane, Japan | M6.2 | 100 km | 15 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 61 km ESE of Namie, Japan | M6.2 | 135 km | 40 km |
| May 13, 2011 | 31 km ESE of Namie, Japan | M6.1 | 138 km | 35 km |
| Aug 5, 1990 | 43 km E of ?arai, Japan | M6.1 | 44 km | 27 km |
| Sep 15, 2011 | 68 km E of ?arai, Japan | M6.1 | 68 km | 28 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
36 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Ampil | Category 3 | 98 mph | 193 km |
| 2024 | Jebi | Category 1 | 75 mph | 187 km |
| 2021 | Mindulle | Category 1 | 86 mph | 283 km |
| 2019 | Faxai | Category 3 | 98 mph | 37 km |
| 2019 | Hagibis | Category 2 | 92 mph | 66 km |
| 2018 | Shanshan | Category 1 | 75 mph | 175 km |
| 2018 | Jongdari | Category 1 | 81 mph | 279 km |
| 2016 | Mindulle | Category 1 | 75 mph | 245 km |
| 2016 | Lionrock | Category 1 | 81 mph | 187 km |
| 2014 | Phanfone | Category 1 | 75 mph | 252 km |
| 2011 | Roke | Category 1 | 92 mph | 133 km |
| 2007 | Fitow | Category 1 | 81 mph | 148 km |
| 2005 | Saola | Category 2 | 86 mph | 277 km |
| 2005 | Mawar | Category 2 | 81 mph | 51 km |
| 2004 | Ma-on | Category 3 | 92 mph | 98 km |
| 2003 | Choi-wan | Category 3 | 81 mph | 293 km |
| 2002 | Higos | Category 2 | 86 mph | 77 km |
| 2001 | Vipa | Category 1 | 69 mph | 272 km |
| 2001 | Danas | Category 1 | 81 mph | 19 km |
| 2000 | Sonamu | Category 1 | 63 mph | 231 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tsunami History
19 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.0 m (7 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1732 | KUJUKURI BEACH, JAPAN | Earthquake | 2.0 m | - | 125 km |
| 1670 | BOSO, JAPAN | Earthquake | 2.0 m | - | 98 km |
| 2016 | E. COAST HONSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 1.4 m | - | 140 km |
| 1938 | OFF FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE | Earthquake | 1.3 m | - | 125 km |
| 1938 | JAPAN TRENCH | Earthquake | 0.8 m | - | 85 km |
| 1938 | SANRIKU | Earthquake | 0.8 m | - | 112 km |
| 1938 | SANRIKU | Earthquake | 0.6 m | 1 | 132 km |
| 1938 | SANRIKU | Earthquake | 0.6 m | - | 140 km |
| 1982 | IBARAKI, JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.4 m | - | 101 km |
| 1961 | KASHIMA, JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.4 m | - | 123 km |
| 1961 | KASHIMA, JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.4 m | - | 119 km |
| 1923 | KASHIMA, JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.4 m | - | 150 km |
| 1938 | SANRIKU | Earthquake | 0.3 m | - | 142 km |
| 1896 | KASHIMA, JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.3 m | - | 43 km |
| 1935 | JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.2 m | - | 80 km |
| 1987 | E. HONSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 124 km |
| 1855 | TOKAIDO | Earthquake | - | 6,757 | 102 km |
| 1642 | BOSO, JAPAN | Earthquake | - | - | 124 km |
| 1602 | BOSO, JAPAN | Eruption + Earthquake | - | - | 135 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
15 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Takaharayama (97 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Takaharayama | Stratovolcano | 1,795 m (5,889 ft) | -4570 | 97 km |
| Nasudake | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,915 m (6,283 ft) | 1963 | 106 km |
| Nantaisan | Stratovolcano | 2,486 m (8,156 ft) | -9540 | 110 km |
| Omanago Group | Lava dome(s) | 2,341 m (7,680 ft) | -3050 | 110 km |
| Nikko-Shiranesan | Shield | 2,578 m (8,458 ft) | 1952 | 121 km |
| Akagisan | Stratovolcano | 1,828 m (5,997 ft) | Unknown | 127 km |
| Hiuchigatake | Stratovolcano | 2,356 m (7,730 ft) | 1544 | 136 km |
| Bandaisan | Stratovolcano | 1,816 m (5,958 ft) | 1888 | 150 km |
| Adatarayama | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,728 m (5,669 ft) | 1996 | 151 km |
| Numazawa | Shield | 835 m (2,740 ft) | -3400 | 155 km |
| Harunasan | Stratovolcano | 1,449 m (4,754 ft) | 550 | 156 km |
| Azumayama | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,949 m (6,394 ft) | 1977 | 161 km |
| Asamayama | Complex | 2,568 m (8,425 ft) | 2019 | 185 km |
| Hakoneyama | Complex | 1,438 m (4,718 ft) | 2015 | 185 km |
| Kusatsu-Shiranesan | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,165 m (7,103 ft) | 2018 | 187 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 5.2 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 6.7 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 5.7 in | |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 71°F (21°C) | 7.1 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 7.2 in | Wettest |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 2.1 in |
Ōarai has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 38°F in January to 76°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 55.6 inches, with October being the wettest month (7.2") and January the driest (1.7").