Has Okinawa ever snowed?
Cold snap brings Okinawa first-ever snow.
How cold does it get in Okinawa?
Okinawa is at its coldest between January and February. However, the average temperature stays at around 17°C/62.6°F and the hottest it gets is around 20°C/68°F. The lowest temperatures are at around 15°C/59°F.
What is winter like in Okinawa?
Compared to the rest of Japan, winter in Okinawa is pleasantly warm, with temperatures of around 15-20 ℃ in January and February. This means that although you may need a light jacket or jumper (particularly in the mornings and evenings), it's absolutely still possible to enjoy some time on the beach.
Does Okinawa have 4 seasons?
Okinawa has a humid subtropical climate, gloriously long summers, and mild winters. Summer is long, but the seasons are diverse and each has its own charms, from whale watching in winter and vibrant hari festivals in spring, to sagaribana flowers in summer and cultural events like karate celebrations in autumn.
Does Japan have snow?
While most of Japan's major cities, including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, receive only small amounts of snow, locations offering snow experiences are readily accessible from them. The snow season in Japan is long and in some places begins as early as November and lasts into May, with the peak being in February.
Where does it snow in Japan?
From December to March, cold Siberian air streaming south and east across the relatively warm waters of the Sea of Japan generate bands of clouds that dump snow over the mountains on the western part of Japan's main island of Honshu and its northern island of Hokkaido.
Can you swim in Okinawa in winter?
Furthermore, since you can swim during December in Okinawa, we have included information on diving and snorkeling, temperature and precipitation, and recommended attire for your reference.
Can you swim in Okinawa in December?
Swimming in december is pleasant in Okinawa and the surrounding area. The sea temperature is 75°F on average (min/max: 72°F/78°F), allowing you to swim for a long time and enjoy water sports.
How hot is Okinawa in December?
December Weather in Okinawa Japan. Daily high temperatures decrease by 5°F, from 73°F to 68°F, rarely falling below 61°F or exceeding 78°F. Daily low temperatures decrease by 5°F, from 63°F to 58°F, rarely falling below 52°F or exceeding 70°F.
Why is Okinawa so poor?
A key reason for the island's poverty is sheer distance: Because of its long distance from the mainland, costs for transportation are high. Take Toyota, which operates an assembly plant in Iwate Prefecture.
Is English spoken in Okinawa?
Okinawa is very tourist-friendly. There are plenty of English speaking services and those services are expanding every year. As you can see though English is far from the dominant language with foreign visitors. Regardless, Okinawans are very accepting of hearing English.
Does Okinawa have radiation?
People in cities not far from the plant may receive higher than background amounts of radiation, but nothing that is considered dangerous. Okinawa is over 1000 miles from the radiation leak and well out of harms way even in a worse case scenario.
What is the climate of Okinawa?
Climate - Okinawa (Japan) The climate of Okinawa is sub-tropical, with very mild winters and long, muggy and rainy summers. Okinawa is an archipelago, which includes the main island of the same name plus some smaller islands (Kumejima, Agunijima, Iejima etc.).
How many typhoons hit Okinawa in a year?
From June to October, with a maximum from August to early October, Okinawa can be affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of Southeast Asia. Of the 26 typhoons that form on average every year in the northwestern Pacific, 3 or 4 pass close enough to Okinawa to threaten it or at least to have an impact on the weather.
When is the rainy season in Japan?
The first part of the rainy season, called plum rains ( Baiu ), arrives one month earlier than on the main islands of Japan, so it occurs in May and June: not only the rains are frequent, but also the sun is seen quite rarely. Here are the average daily sunshine hours. Naha - Sunshine hours.
When does cherry blossom in Okinawa start?
Year. 25.5. 77.8. The cherry blossoming in Okinawa occurs as early as in winter, and is longer than on the main islands of Japan: two or three weeks pass from the beginning to full flowering (which occurs on average around February 1st).
When does cherry blossom bloom in Okinawa?
Here are the average sea temperatures. The cherry blossoming in Okinawa occurs as early as in winter, and is longer than on the main islands of Japan: two or three weeks pass from the beginning to full flowering (which occurs on average around February 1st).
How warm is Okinawa in winter?
Compared to the rest of Japan, winter in Okinawa is pleasantly warm, with temperatures of around 15-20 ℃ in January and February. This means that although you may need a light jacket or jumper (particularly in the mornings and evenings), it’s absolutely still possible to enjoy some time on the beach. It can be a bit windy at this time of year – which may have an impact on diving trips – but you’re safely out of typhoon season so it’s not too much of a concern.
What is the best time to visit Okinawa in the winter?
The most notable of these is whale watching. From late December to early April, humpback whales migrate from the Alaskan Aleutian Islands all the way across the Pacific Ocean to the warm waters of Okinawa to breed.
Where to see the culture of Okinawa?
If you find yourself stuck with a rainy day, head to the Okinawa Prefectural Museum in Naha – comprised of a history museum and an art museum – to learn more about the distinctive culture of Okinawa. For a more touristy take on Okinawan culture, check out the Okinawa World theme park.
Where to scuba dive in Okinawa?
As well as the humpback whales, at this time of year experienced divers can swim alongside schools of hammerhead sharks around Yonaguni and Kume islands. Be aware that the sea temperature will be chilly, so if you’re new to diving you may prefer to save this activity for the warmer months!
Where is Okinawa airport?
Okinawa’s main airport is in Naha, in the south of the main island, and direct flights are available from most major Japanese cities. From Tokyo’s Haneda airport, the flight takes approximately two and a half hours.
Where is the Peace Memorial Park in Okinawa?
There are also a number of poignant war memorials scattered across Okinawa, including the Peace Memorial Park on the south of the island. These thought-provoking exhibits, although sobering, are important to visit as a reminder of what the prefecture went through during World War II.
When do cherry blossoms bloom in Okinawa?
Cherry blossoms. Sakura season arrives early in Okinawa, with the iconic pink flowers usually blooming between mid-January and mid-February. A large proportion of these blooms are kanhizakura (Taiwan cherry) trees, which blossom to a deeper shade of pink than many of the species of sakura found on mainland Japan.
Where does it snow in Japan?
Japan has some impressive mountains, but it doesn’t get the exact snowfall as other Asia countries. For example, Hokkaido receives quite a lot of power compared to the rest of Honshu, but even then, most locations don’t see more than 2 meters of snowfall during the season.
Snow Depths & Types
Japan doesn’t get much fresh powder (snow that falls during the current season, not including what gets carried over from previous seasons). Most of it is a dry powder, but some rain/wet snow does fall in January.
How often does Japan get snow?
With some exceptions, Japan gets snow on a more or less predictable schedule:
Does it snow every year?
Most parts of Japan see snowfall about once or twice per year unless there are unusual weather patterns.
Does it snow in Tokyo?
Tokyo is warmer than you might think. It’s surrounded by mountains, so it sometimes gets snow… but this typically happens only one or two days each year in December or January! This makes for a tiny window of opportunity, and the snow usually falls in light fluff that doesn’t stick well to the ground.
Does the snow stick to the ground?
The truth is that Japan has a robust maritime climate, so it doesn’t get freezing in most places. Hokkaido is far enough north to see genuine winter weather, but this isn’t the case for other areas like Tokyo or Kyoto.
Rain vs. Snow in Japan
Snow in the big cities might be wet or heavy, while southern Japan can see some dehydrated powder at times!
Which region of Japan received less snow than the North?
The southern regions of Japan received less snow compared to the north, but it is still significantly higher compared to the Great Lakes region of North America.
How much snow does the coastal mountains get?
The coastal mountains rise to about 1,000 feet amplifying the snowstorm. The mountainous regions receive anything from 300 to 600 inches of snow throughout the winter, but higher elevations can receive twice as much.
Why are some regions categorized as heavy snowfall zones?
Some of the regions are categorized as "heavy snowfall zones” because the snowfall is severe enough to affect the livelihood of communities. The fourteen prefectures categorized under this zone and are eligible for government subsidies to help them cope with the extreme temperature.
What is the temperature in Tokyo in December?
In the capital city Tokyo, the temperatures in early December average 54°F (12°C) in the afternoon which drops to 41°F (5ºC) at night.
How many seasons does Japan have?
Japan has four seasons in a year; spring from March to May, summer from June to August, autumn from September to November, and winter from December to February. Japan gets significant snowfall each winter.
Where are snow covered houses?
Snow covered houses in the village of Shirakawa, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The island nation of Japan experiences a variety of climatic conditions similar to the East Coast of North America from Georgia to Nova Scotia. The country generally receives a high amount of rainfall and humidity.
Is snow a meteorological phenomenon in Japan?
Snow in Japan. Snow is perceived as a mystical phenomenon in Japan, but it is purely meteorological. Between December and March, the cold Siberian air flows over the warm waters of the Sea of Japan freezing the water vapor and dumping snow over the mountains of Honshu and Hokkaido. The United States experiences the same phenomenon in ...
What is the climate of Okinawa?
A sub-tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall. Okinawa, Japan, reminds one of a tropical resort, but the weather isn't always nice and clear. There are periods when there's a lot of rain and others when it gets rather humid. The wind also often becomes strong, and there are even times when there are many typhoons.
When is the peak of summer in Okinawa?
July. The rainy season comes to a stop in June and Okinawa enters the peak of summer in July. The average temperature is 29°C/84.2°F, but goes up as high as 32°C/89.6°F and doesn't get lower than 27°C/80.6°F. There's not much rain, so you'll be able to enjoy summer as if you were in a tropical island in the south.
What is the best time to visit Okinawa?
April is said to be the best month to spend time in Okinawa. It's also perfect for sightseeing. Temperatures average at 21°C/69.8°F, hit highs of 24°C/75.2°F and are at their lowest at 19°C/66.2°F. There's no problem wandering around in just a t-shirt during the day. You'll be able to enjoy the comfortable early summer weather. It's still a little chilly in the early morning and at night, so do carry a long-sleeved top with you. April is the time when you can enjoy Okinawa before it enters the rainy season.
What is the temperature in November?
There is also little rainfall, so it's a great time for sightseeing. The temperature averages at around 22°C/71.6°F and stays between 20°C/68°F to 25°C/77°F.
When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Okinawa?
February. Okinawa is at its coldest between January and February. However, the average temperature stays at around 17°C/62.6°F and the hottest it gets is around 20°C/68°F. The lowest temperatures are at around 15°C/59°F. This is the timing when you can view cherry blossoms in Okinawa.
Is it cold in Okinawa in November?
Even though it's November, this is still Okinawa, so you'll still end up sweating. However, it does get cold sometimes , so wandering around in your summer clothes is probably not a good idea. The Shurijo Castle Festival is one of the events you can enjoy in November.
Is Miyakojima Island rainy?
It's the rainy season, so you can expect lots of rain as well. The heat is evidence that it's really summer time. On clear days, bring your sunglasses and a hat with you. Miyakojima Island plays host to the Miyako Island Rock Festival, a music festival experience that you can only get in Okinawa.
