Climate Insights for Niigata

The climate in Niigata is temperate. The average annual temperature is 15°C and approximately 1897mm of precipitation falls per year. Niigata receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Niigata 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 February, January, December, when temperatures can drop to 3°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 96cm accumulating over the season.

Temperatures in Niigata vary considerably across the year, with a 25°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 27°C. February is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 3°C and an average of 5°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 3°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.

Niigata is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1897mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 158mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 248mm of rainfall. August and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is May, with just 91mm. That's 157mm 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 96cm accumulating over the season. January typically sees the most snow at around 53cm.

Niigata is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 5km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is December, averaging 7km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 3km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind speeds vary significantly across the year, with a 4km/h difference between the calmest and windiest months. This level of variation is worth factoring into travel plans. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 6km/h in winter, 4km/h in spring, 3km/h in summer, 5km/h in autumn.

It is currently summer in Niigata, which began on June 21, 2026. Niigata 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 February near 3°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 91 days from now.

The best time to visit Niigata is during May, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 16°C with modest rainfall averaging 91mm per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 28°C, while February is the coldest period with lows dropping to 3°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely — pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Niigata 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.