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. The area gets 244 sunny days per year, above the national average. 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)
Sunny Days
244 days/yr
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°W
Timezone
Asia/Tokyo
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall51.0"
34% above US avg
Snowfall11.2"
Wettest Month (Jul)6.26"
Driest Month (Feb)3.19"
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").