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Weather & Climate in Otaru, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Otaru experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 49.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 98 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-4°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 46.9°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 98 ft (30 m) |
| Area | 545.9 sq mi (1,414.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 211/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.1894°N, 141.0022°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
439 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.3.
| Jul 12, 1993 | 109 km W of Iwanai, Japan | M6.3 | 148 km | 33 km |
| Aug 24, 1992 | 9 km NNW of Honch?, Japan | M6.2 | 138 km | 121 km |
| Jan 11, 2016 | 74 km NW of Rumoi, Japan | M6.2 | 143 km | 239 km |
| Jun 11, 2023 | 20 km WSW of Biratori, Japan | M6.2 | 104 km | 121 km |
| Oct 21, 2011 | 16 km NE of Asahikawa, Japan | M6.1 | 142 km | 187 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 101 km W of Iwanai, Japan | M6.0 | 145 km | 29 km |
| Jan 12, 2021 | 84 km NW of Yoichi, Japan | M5.9 | 100 km | 214 km |
| Feb 19, 2003 | 26 km NNE of Rumoi, Japan | M5.9 | 125 km | 214 km |
| May 23, 1995 | Hokkaido, Japan region | M5.6 | 79 km | 17 km |
| Jul 8, 2014 | 13 km N of Shiraoi, Japan | M5.5 | 65 km | 10 km |
| Feb 28, 2009 | 37 km NW of Shizunai-furukawach?, Japan | M5.5 | 111 km | 105 km |
| Apr 18, 2007 | 21 km E of Tomakomai, Japan | M5.5 | 92 km | 120 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 88 km W of Iwanai, Japan | M5.4 | 130 km | 33 km |
| Jan 22, 2013 | 77 km SSW of Rishiri Town, Japan | M5.4 | 144 km | 235 km |
| Feb 21, 2019 | 25 km ESE of Chitose, Japan | M5.4 | 91 km | 28 km |
| Jul 16, 1993 | 94 km WNW of Iwanai, Japan | M5.3 | 129 km | 25 km |
| Jul 1, 2017 | 22 km E of Chitose, Japan | M5.3 | 86 km | 37 km |
| Apr 12, 2018 | 110 km NW of Iwanai, Japan | M5.3 | 130 km | 217 km |
| Jul 15, 1993 | 95 km WNW of Iwanai, Japan | M5.3 | 130 km | 22 km |
| Nov 3, 2001 | 115 km NW of Yoichi, Japan | M5.3 | 132 km | 221 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
4 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 8.0 m (26 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1640 | SE. HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Explosion | 8.0 m | 700 | 127 km |
| 1947 | W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Earthquake | 2.0 m | - | 68 km |
| 1834 | W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Earthquake | - | - | 35 km |
| 1792 | W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Earthquake | - | - | 47 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
10 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Yoteizan (43 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Yoteizan | Stratovolcano | 1,888 m (6,194 ft) | -1050 | 43 km |
| Niseko | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,308 m (4,291 ft) | -4900 | 45 km |
| Shikotsu | Caldera | 1,320 m (4,331 ft) | 1979 | 64 km |
| Toya | Stratovolcano | 733 m (2,405 ft) | 2001 | 73 km |
| Kuttara | Stratovolcano(es) | 549 m (1,801 ft) | 1820 | 79 km |
| Hokkaido-Komagatake | Stratovolcano | 1,131 m (3,711 ft) | 2000 | 128 km |
| Tokachidake | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,077 m (6,814 ft) | 2004 | 139 km |
| Esan | Lava dome(s) | 618 m (2,028 ft) | 1874 | 155 km |
| Taisetsuzan | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,291 m (7,516 ft) | 1739 | 159 km |
| Maruyama | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,013 m (6,604 ft) | 1898 | 166 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-4°C) | 5.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.4 in | Driest |
| May | 53°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 5.2 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 5.0 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 5.4 in |
Otaru has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 26°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 49.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.5") and April the driest (2.4").