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Weather & Climate in Shirakawa, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shirakawa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 244 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 50.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 1,060 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 244 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,060 ft (323 m) |
| Area | 203.6 sq mi (527.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 292/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1195°N, 140.2621°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
2,752 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 | 120 km | 43 km |
| Mar 16, 2022 | 57 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M7.3 | 134 km | 41 km |
| Feb 13, 2021 | 73 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M7.1 | 150 km | 44 km |
| Apr 11, 2011 | 17 km SSW of Ishikawa, Japan | M6.6 | 18 km | 11 km |
| Mar 14, 2010 | 59 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M6.5 | 136 km | 32 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 30 km NNE of Namie, Japan | M6.3 | 105 km | 32 km |
| Jul 24, 2011 | 43 km NE of Namie, Japan | M6.3 | 121 km | 40 km |
| Aug 4, 2019 | 61 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M6.3 | 138 km | 38 km |
| Jul 30, 2011 | 13 km SSE of Iwaki, Japan | M6.3 | 65 km | 38 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 70 km ESE of Kitaibaraki, Japan | M6.2 | 125 km | 40 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 61 km ESE of Namie, Japan | M6.2 | 119 km | 40 km |
| Aug 19, 2011 | 61 km ENE of Namie, Japan | M6.2 | 137 km | 47 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 87 km ESE of Iwaki, Japan | M6.1 | 143 km | 28 km |
| Sep 15, 2011 | 68 km E of ?arai, Japan | M6.1 | 136 km | 28 km |
| Mar 22, 2011 | 72 km ESE of Namie, Japan | M6.1 | 137 km | 31 km |
| Mar 12, 2011 | 29 km SSE of Namie, Japan | M6.1 | 81 km | 38 km |
| Aug 5, 1990 | 43 km E of ?arai, Japan | M6.1 | 115 km | 27 km |
| May 13, 2011 | 31 km ESE of Namie, Japan | M6.1 | 100 km | 35 km |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 17 km ESE of Namie, Japan | M6.0 | 90 km | 49 km |
| Jul 20, 2000 | 31 km ESE of Hitachi, Japan | M6.0 | 93 km | 47 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
25 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Ampil | Category 3 | 98 mph | 271 km |
| 2024 | Jebi | Category 1 | 75 mph | 249 km |
| 2019 | Faxai | Category 2 | 92 mph | 112 km |
| 2019 | Hagibis | Category 1 | 92 mph | 32 km |
| 2018 | Shanshan | Category 1 | 75 mph | 269 km |
| 2016 | Lionrock | Category 1 | 81 mph | 249 km |
| 2014 | Phanfone | Category 1 | 75 mph | 298 km |
| 2011 | Roke | Category 1 | 92 mph | 166 km |
| 2007 | Fitow | Category 1 | 75 mph | 194 km |
| 2005 | Mawar | Category 2 | 75 mph | 141 km |
| 2004 | Ma-on | Category 3 | 92 mph | 116 km |
| 2002 | Higos | Category 1 | 81 mph | 129 km |
| 2001 | Danas | Category 1 | 63 mph | 81 km |
| 2000 | Sonamu | Category 1 | 63 mph | 288 km |
| 2000 | Kirogi | Category 1 | 81 mph | 115 km |
| 1998 | Vicki | Category 2 | 63 mph | 171 km |
| 1998 | Stella | Category 1 | 69 mph | 114 km |
| 1996 | Violet | Category 1 | 81 mph | 180 km |
| 1995 | Oscar | Category 4 | 98 mph | 236 km |
| 1993 | Vernon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 109 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tsunami History
12 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.4 m (5 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2016 | E. COAST HONSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 1.4 m | — | 104 km |
| 1938 | OFF FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE | Earthquake | 1.3 m | — | 142 km |
| 1938 | OFF FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE | Earthquake | 1.3 m | — | 128 km |
| 1938 | JAPAN TRENCH | Earthquake | 0.8 m | — | 111 km |
| 1938 | SANRIKU | Earthquake | 0.8 m | — | 111 km |
| 1938 | SANRIKU | Earthquake | 0.6 m | 1 | 128 km |
| 1938 | SANRIKU | Earthquake | 0.6 m | — | 128 km |
| 2022 | OFF FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE | Earthquake | 0.3 m | 4 | 134 km |
| 1896 | KASHIMA, JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.3 m | — | 95 km |
| 1935 | JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.2 m | — | 117 km |
| 2021 | OFF FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE | Earthquake | 0.1 m | 1 | 149 km |
| 1987 | E. HONSHU ISLAND | Earthquake | 0.1 m | — | 128 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
15 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Nasudake (27 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Nasudake | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,915 m (6,283 ft) | 1963 | 27 km |
| Takaharayama | Stratovolcano | 1,795 m (5,889 ft) | -4570 | 50 km |
| Bandaisan | Stratovolcano | 1,816 m (5,958 ft) | 1888 | 56 km |
| Adatarayama | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,728 m (5,669 ft) | 1996 | 59 km |
| Azumayama | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,949 m (6,394 ft) | 1977 | 69 km |
| Numazawa | Shield | 835 m (2,740 ft) | -3400 | 71 km |
| Omanago Group | Lava dome(s) | 2,341 m (7,680 ft) | -3050 | 76 km |
| Nantaisan | Stratovolcano | 2,486 m (8,156 ft) | -9540 | 79 km |
| Nikko-Shiranesan | Shield | 2,578 m (8,458 ft) | 1952 | 86 km |
| Hiuchigatake | Stratovolcano | 2,356 m (7,730 ft) | 1544 | 89 km |
| Akagisan | Stratovolcano | 1,828 m (5,997 ft) | Unknown | 114 km |
| Zaozan [Zaosan] | Complex | 1,841 m (6,040 ft) | 1940 | 115 km |
| Harunasan | Stratovolcano | 1,449 m (4,754 ft) | 550 | 145 km |
| Shiga | Shield(s) | 2,041 m (6,696 ft) | Unknown | 162 km |
| Kusatsu-Shiranesan | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,165 m (7,103 ft) | 2018 | 164 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 1.8 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 6.5 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 6.3 in | |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 7.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 7.4 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 4.9 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 1.5 in |
Shirakawa has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 32°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 51.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.4") and January the driest (1.3").