Climate Overview
The climate in Tsuruoka is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 2627mm of precipitation falls per year. Tsuruoka receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Tsuruoka 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 1°C. Tsuruoka experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.
Temperature
Temperatures in Tsuruoka vary considerably across the year, with a 27°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 28°C and the mean temperature sits around 26°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 1°C and an average of 2°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 4°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Tsuruoka is a very wet location, receiving approximately 2627mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 219mm per month. The wettest month is December, averaging 356mm of rainfall. January and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is May, with just 147mm. That's 209mm less than December, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Tsuruoka receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 496cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is January, with approximately 180cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.
Wind
Tsuruoka is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 15km/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 20km/h, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 11km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 9km/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 20km/h in winter, 15km/h in spring, 11km/h in summer, 14km/h in autumn.
Seasons
87 days until Winter
It is currently autumn in Tsuruoka, which began on September 23, 2026. Tsuruoka 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 28°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 1°C. Winter is next, beginning on December 21, 2026 (87 days from now).
Spring
Temperatures range from 3 to 18°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 460mm across the season with a monthly average of 153mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 15km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 18 to 28°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 655mm across the season with a monthly average of 218mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 11km/h. Light, breathable clothing is ideal. Perfect conditions for outdoor activities.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 8 to 24°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 651mm across the season with a monthly average of 217mm. Expect around 8cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 14km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 1 to 6°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 862mm across the season with a monthly average of 287mm. Expect around 450cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are moderate at around 20km/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 Tsuruoka 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.
