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Weather & Climate in Sōbetsu, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sōbetsu has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 241 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 52.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.7 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 167 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 43.9°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 241 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 167 ft (51 m) |
| Area | 127.5 sq mi (330.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 22/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.5558°N, 140.8861°W |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
820 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M7.7.
| Jul 12, 1993 | 107 km W of Iwanai, Japan | M7.7 | 142 km | 17 km |
| Aug 7, 1993 | 69 km WNW of Kamiiso, Japan | M6.5 | 107 km | 14 km |
| Nov 26, 1991 | 33 km SSE of Shizunai-furukawach?, Japan | M6.4 | 146 km | 56 km |
| Jun 11, 2023 | 20 km WSW of Biratori, Japan | M6.2 | 83 km | 121 km |
| Aug 24, 1992 | 9 km NNW of Honch?, Japan | M6.2 | 67 km | 121 km |
| Jun 8, 2015 | 74 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan | M6.1 | 145 km | 42 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 101 km W of Iwanai, Japan | M6.0 | 134 km | 29 km |
| May 5, 2023 | 68 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan | M5.9 | 147 km | 59 km |
| Jan 12, 2021 | 84 km NW of Yoichi, Japan | M5.9 | 147 km | 214 km |
| Sep 13, 2010 | 68 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan | M5.8 | 149 km | 45 km |
| Apr 3, 2002 | 60 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan | M5.7 | 138 km | 71 km |
| Mar 7, 2017 | 62 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan | M5.7 | 143 km | 56 km |
| Jan 11, 1995 | 45 km SSE of Shizunai-furukawach?, Japan | M5.6 | 149 km | 57 km |
| May 23, 1995 | Hokkaido, Japan region | M5.6 | 140 km | 17 km |
| May 18, 2007 | 73 km ENE of Mutsu, Japan | M5.5 | 140 km | 58 km |
| Jul 8, 2014 | 13 km N of Shiraoi, Japan | M5.5 | 40 km | 10 km |
| Jun 24, 2011 | 35 km SSE of Shizunai-furukawach?, Japan | M5.5 | 148 km | 58 km |
| Jun 25, 2008 | 45 km SSE of Shizunai-furukawach?, Japan | M5.5 | 149 km | 56 km |
| Apr 18, 2007 | 21 km E of Tomakomai, Japan | M5.5 | 81 km | 120 km |
| Feb 28, 2009 | 37 km NW of Shizunai-furukawach?, Japan | M5.5 | 100 km | 105 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2002 | Higos | Category 1 | 69 mph | 233 km |
| 1998 | Vicki | Category 1 | 58 mph | 278 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tsunami History
7 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 32.0 m (105 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1993 | SEA OF JAPAN | Earthquake | 32.0 m | 231 | 142 km |
| 1640 | SE. HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Explosion | 8.0 m | 700 | 57 km |
| 1947 | W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Earthquake | 2.0 m | - | 139 km |
| 1982 | HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Earthquake | 1.3 m | 110 | 129 km |
| 1993 | JAPAN | Earthquake | 0.2 m | - | 107 km |
| 1834 | W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Earthquake | - | - | 93 km |
| 1792 | W. HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Earthquake | - | - | 108 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
11 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Toya (4 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Toya | Stratovolcano | 733 m (2,405 ft) | 2001 | 4 km |
| Kuttara | Stratovolcano(es) | 549 m (1,801 ft) | 1820 | 24 km |
| Yoteizan | Stratovolcano | 1,888 m (6,194 ft) | -1050 | 31 km |
| Niseko | Stratovolcano(es) | 1,308 m (4,291 ft) | -4900 | 40 km |
| Shikotsu | Caldera | 1,320 m (4,331 ft) | 1979 | 43 km |
| Hokkaido-Komagatake | Stratovolcano | 1,131 m (3,711 ft) | 2000 | 57 km |
| Esan | Lava dome(s) | 618 m (2,028 ft) | 1874 | 87 km |
| Osorezan | Stratovolcano | 878 m (2,881 ft) | 1787 | 143 km |
| Oshima-Oshima | Stratovolcano | 732 m (2,402 ft) | 1790 | 171 km |
| Tokachidake | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,077 m (6,814 ft) | 2004 | 175 km |
| Maruyama | Stratovolcano(es) | 2,013 m (6,604 ft) | 1898 | 199 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 57°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 5.0 in | |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 6.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 6.3 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 4.8 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.4 in |
Sōbetsu has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 23°F in January to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 52.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.8") and March the driest (3.0").