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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. The area gets 259 sunny days per year, above the national average. 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) |
| Sunny Days | 259 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Area | 294.0 sq mi (761.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 115/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.4094°N, 141.6739°W |
| 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").