Weather & Climate in Ōtera, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ōtera experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.2 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 1,224 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,224 ft (373 m) |
| Area | 147.9 sq mi (383.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 23/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5581°N, 139.9880°E |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,691 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.3.
| Mar 16, 2022 | 57 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M7.3 | 141 km | 41 km |
| Apr 11, 2011 | 17 km SSW of Ishikawa, Japan | M6.6 | 72 km | 11 km |
| Jul 16, 2007 | 20 km NNW of Kashiwazaki, Japan | M6.6 | 136 km | 12 km |
| Mar 14, 2010 | 59 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M6.5 | 143 km | 32 km |
| Jun 18, 2019 | 31 km WSW of Tsuruoka, Japan | M6.4 | 128 km | 12 km |
| Jul 24, 2011 | 43 km NE of Namie, Japan | M6.3 | 125 km | 40 km |
| Aug 4, 2019 | 61 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M6.3 | 144 km | 38 km |
| Jul 30, 2011 | 13 km SSE of Iwaki, Japan | M6.3 | 110 km | 38 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 30 km NNE of Namie, Japan | M6.3 | 107 km | 32 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 61 km ESE of Namie, Japan | M6.2 | 148 km | 40 km |
| Aug 19, 2011 | 61 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M6.2 | 147 km | 47 km |
| Mar 12, 2011 | 29 km SSE of Namie, Japan | M6.1 | 109 km | 38 km |
| Jul 25, 2003 | 7 km NW of Matsushima, Japan | M6.1 | 130 km | 6 km |
| May 13, 2011 | 31 km ESE of Namie, Japan | M6.1 | 121 km | 35 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 15 km E of Namie, Japan | M6.0 | 105 km | 37 km |
| May 18, 2013 | 50 km NE of Namie, Japan | M6.0 | 132 km | 39 km |
| Jul 20, 2000 | 31 km ESE of Hitachi, Japan | M6.0 | 146 km | 47 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 17 km ESE of Namie, Japan | M6.0 | 107 km | 49 km |
| Mar 16, 2022 | 62 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M6.0 | 149 km | 57 km |
| Apr 12, 2011 | 8 km WSW of Ishikawa, Japan | M5.9 | 60 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Jebi | Category 1 | 75 mph | 297 km |
| 2019 | Faxai | Category 2 | 92 mph | 166 km |
| 2019 | Hagibis | Category 1 | 81 mph | 86 km |
| 2016 | Lionrock | Category 1 | 81 mph | 297 km |
| 2011 | Roke | Category 1 | 86 mph | 197 km |
| 2007 | Fitow | Category 1 | 75 mph | 229 km |
| 2005 | Mawar | Category 2 | 75 mph | 195 km |
| 2004 | Ma-on | Category 3 | 81 mph | 158 km |
| 2002 | Higos | Category 1 | 81 mph | 101 km |
| 2001 | Danas | Category 1 | 63 mph | 134 km |
| 2000 | Kirogi | Category 1 | 81 mph | 166 km |
| 1998 | Vicki | Category 2 | 63 mph | 117 km |
| 1998 | Stella | Category 1 | 69 mph | 153 km |
| 1996 | Violet | Category 1 | 81 mph | 227 km |
| 1995 | Oscar | Category 3 | 98 mph | 279 km |
| 1995 | Ryan | Category 1 | 40 mph | 298 km |
| 1994 | Orchid | Category 1 | 63 mph | 295 km |
| 1993 | Vernon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 139 km |
| 1990 | Flo | Category 1 | 58 mph | 281 km |
| 1981 | Thad | Category 1 | - | 174 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tsunami History
9 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 5.8 m (19 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | NW. HONSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 5.8 m | 36 | 113 km |
| 2016 | E. COAST HONSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 1.4 m | - | 125 km |
| 1938 | SANRIKU | Earthquake | 0.8 m | - | 148 km |
| 2022 | OFF FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE | Earthquake | 0.3 m | 4 | 141 km |
| 1896 | KASHIMA, JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.3 m | - | 148 km |
| 2019 | NIIGATA | Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 129 km |
| 2007 | HONSHU: W COAST | Earthquake | - | 15 | 133 km |
| 1802 | NW. HONSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | - | 19 | 150 km |
| 1762 | NW. HONSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | - | - | 128 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
15 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Bandaisan (9 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Bandaisan | Stratovolcano | 1,816 m (5,958 ft) | 1888 | 9 km |
| Adatarayama | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,728 m (5,669 ft) | 1996 | 28 km |
| Azumayama | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,949 m (6,394 ft) | 1977 | 30 km |
| Numazawa | Shield | 835 m (2,740 ft) | -3400 | 39 km |
| Nasudake | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,915 m (6,283 ft) | 1963 | 48 km |
| Takaharayama | Stratovolcano | 1,795 m (5,889 ft) | -4570 | 76 km |
| Zaozan [Zaosan] | Complex | 1,841 m (6,040 ft) | 1940 | 76 km |
| Hiuchigatake | Stratovolcano | 2,356 m (7,730 ft) | 1544 | 92 km |
| Omanago Group | Lava dome(s) | 2,341 m (7,680 ft) | -3050 | 95 km |
| Nantaisan | Stratovolcano | 2,486 m (8,156 ft) | -9540 | 99 km |
| Nikko-Shiranesan | Shield | 2,578 m (8,458 ft) | 1952 | 100 km |
| Akagisan | Stratovolcano | 1,828 m (5,997 ft) | Unknown | 132 km |
| Naruko | Caldera | 470 m (1,542 ft) | 837 | 146 km |
| Harunasan | Stratovolcano | 1,449 m (4,754 ft) | 550 | 157 km |
| Shiga | Shield(s) | 2,041 m (6,696 ft) | Unknown | 162 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 5.0 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 6.3 in | Wettest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 5.8 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in |
Ōtera has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 30°F in January to 76°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 51.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.3") and February the driest (3.2").