Climate Overview
The climate in Shirakawa is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 1450mm of precipitation falls per year. Shirakawa receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Shirakawa is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, September. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to -2°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 79cm accumulating over the season.
Temperature
Temperatures in Shirakawa vary considerably across the year, with a 31°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 29°C and the mean temperature sits around 25°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -2°C and the daily average is 1°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 7°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Shirakawa is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1450mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 121mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 190mm of rainfall. September and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 45mm. That's 145mm less than July, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the second half (July to December) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 79cm accumulating over the season. January typically sees the most snow at around 25cm.
Wind
Shirakawa is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 8km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 10km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 6km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 4km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 9km/h in winter, 10km/h in spring, 7km/h in summer, 8km/h in autumn.
Seasons
3 days until Autumn
It is currently summer in Shirakawa, which began on June 21, 2026. Shirakawa is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 29°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -2°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (3 days from now).
Spring
Temperatures range from 2 to 21°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 382mm across the season with a monthly average of 127mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 10km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 16 to 29°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 508mm across the season with a monthly average of 169mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 7km/h. Light, breathable clothing is ideal. Perfect conditions for outdoor activities.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 5 to 25°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 416mm across the season with a monthly average of 139mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 8km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from -2 to 8°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 143mm over the season and a monthly average of 48mm. Expect around 50cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. Warm winter clothing and waterproof boots are a must, and travel may be affected by snow.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Shirakawa based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.
