Weather & Climate in Wakkanai, Japan
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wakkanai has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.6 inches. The area receives 12.7 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 23 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
63°F Jul (17°C)
| Annual Average | 42.8°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 63°F (17°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Area | 294.0 sq mi (761.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 112/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.4094°N, 141.6739°E |
| Timezone | Asia/Tokyo |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
292 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.2.
| Jan 11, 2016 | 74 km NW of Rumoi, Japan | M6.2 | 114 km | 239 km |
| Jun 16, 1992 | 50 km NE of Makubetsu, Japan | M6.0 | 56 km | 317 km |
| Feb 19, 2003 | 26 km NNE of Rumoi, Japan | M5.9 | 141 km | 214 km |
| Jul 2, 2022 | 58 km SSE of Shebunino, Russia | M5.9 | 63 km | 309 km |
| Aug 2, 2007 | 10 km WNW of Nevel’sk, Russia | M5.8 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Aug 20, 1990 | 42 km SE of Shebunino, Russia | M5.7 | 99 km | 309 km |
| Feb 9, 1993 | 38 km NNE of Makubetsu, Japan | M5.6 | 39 km | 307 km |
| Jun 23, 2023 | 94 km NE of Hamatonbetsu, Japan | M5.6 | 121 km | 314 km |
| Aug 2, 2007 | 8 km SW of Nevel’sk, Russia | M5.5 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Feb 9, 2002 | 61 km S of Korsakov, Russia | M5.5 | 110 km | 349 km |
| Jan 22, 2013 | 77 km SSW of Rishiri Town, Japan | M5.4 | 118 km | 235 km |
| Jan 24, 1993 | 51 km NNE of Makubetsu, Japan | M5.3 | 55 km | 306 km |
| Sep 26, 2003 | 45 km SSE of Korsakov, Russia | M5.2 | 142 km | 346 km |
| Aug 2, 2007 | 11 km NW of Nevel’sk, Russia | M5.2 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Apr 23, 2017 | 37 km SE of Shebunino, Russia | M5.2 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Jul 5, 2024 | 10 km WNW of Nayoro, Japan | M5.1 | 127 km | 232 km |
| Nov 10, 1990 | 23 km W of Nayoro, Japan | M5.1 | 122 km | 16 km |
| Aug 19, 2011 | 76 km NE of Makubetsu, Japan | M5.1 | 82 km | 308 km |
| Aug 10, 2022 | 51 km SSE of Makubetsu, Japan | M5.1 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Nov 25, 2013 | 51 km N of Wakkanai, Japan | M5.1 | 51 km | 20 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
6 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 2.0 m (7 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1971 | TATAR STRAIT | Earthquake | 2.0 m | - | 130 km |
| 1971 | TATAR STRAIT | Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 119 km |
| 1971 | TATAR STRAIT | Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 116 km |
| 1971 | TATAR STRAIT | Earthquake | 0.1 m | - | 145 km |
| 1971 | TATAR STRAIT | Earthquake | 0.0 m | - | 119 km |
| 1863 | NW. HOKKAIDO ISLAND | Earthquake | - | - | 91 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| July | 63°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.5 in |
Wakkanai has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 20°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 42.6 inches, with October being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (2.1").