Tokyo Weather

Revision as of 05:42, 8 July 2008

Tokyo Weather is largely affected by the city’s position in the humid subtropical climate zone. Generally hot summers and mild winters with cold spells and an annual rainfall around 55 inches categorizes the overall weather of the region.

Climate

Tokyo’s general climate is wet summers and dry winters with sporadic snowfall on an annual basis. Because of the city’s population, heat in the city center has been attributed in summers to the densely populated region. Typhoons are also an annual possibility, though their severity and regularity is largely dependent on the year. The most recent typhoon to hit Tokyo was Fitow in 2007. Comparably, Tokyo can best be compared to the East Coast of the United States for annual weather.

Seasons

Tokyo has four distinct seasons though in some years, the transition from the mild winter to spring may be less pronounced than in others.

Spring

Spring in Tokyo lasts from March to May and is generally the most popular time of the year to visit the city due to the mild, pleasant weather. March is often still cool, while late April and May are warmer with occasional rain showers. The average temperature this time of year is usually between 35 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Summer

Tokyo’s summers start in early to mid June and last through August. This time of the year is generally hottest, with average temperatures around 86 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity. Additionally, Tokyo sees a large amount of rain during the summer months with muggy, wet weather in June. Average temperatures in summer range between 70 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fall

Fall in Tokyo lasts between September and November and is usually much cooler than Summer with considerably less humidity. September will still carry over many traits of summer though, regularly hitting the high 80s or low 90s in temperature. Average temperatures during the fall months in Tokyo are usually between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Winter

Winter in Tokyo is between December and February and is usually known for its cooler, grey days. The temperature is rarely below the freezing point, but snow will occasionally fall (with rare accumulations). With sunset around 5 pm and average temperatures between 29 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit, the weather is generally mild for winter.

Best Time to Visit

Based on weather alone, the best time to visit Tokyo is during the Spring and Fall when the weather is both moderate and pleasant. Late April and Mid-October are usually cited as the best specific times to visit.

External Links

• Japan Meteorological Agency for Tokyo (Japanese)