Sapporo, Hokkaido Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Sapporo, Hokkaido?
Sapporo, Hokkaido gets 1100 mm of precipitation a year over about 161 rainy days. August is the warmest month (average high 27°C) and January the coldest (average low -7°C).
Humid continental climate
Sapporo, Hokkaido has warm summers and cold winters. Daytime highs range from about 0°C in January to 26°C in August. September is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to August, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | -6° | 1° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 3° | 12° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 17° | 24° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 8° | 16° |
How much rain does Sapporo get?
Sapporo gets 1100 mm of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 161 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 88% of Japan.
September is the wettest month, with 130 mm. April is the driest, with 51 mm. January has the most rainy days, about 21.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 15 days, to September 23, 2026.
From October 2025 to September 2026 Sapporo got 2274 mm of rain, against a normal of 1100 mm for those months. July 2026 had the most, with 820 mm.
Sapporo weather by month
Sapporo weather in January
In January, Sapporo averages a high of -1°C and a low of -7°C. It gets 106 mm of precipitation over about 21 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 29% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 8°C (1983) and the record low is -19°C (1977).
Sapporo weather in February
In February, Sapporo averages a high of 1°C and a low of -7°C. It gets 93 mm of precipitation over about 18 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 29% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 10°C (1996) and the record low is -19°C (1978).
Sapporo weather in March
In March, Sapporo averages a high of 4°C and a low of -3°C. It gets 77 mm of precipitation over about 17 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 17°C (2018) and the record low is -16°C (1986).
Sapporo weather in April
In April, Sapporo averages a high of 12°C and a low of 3°C. It gets 51 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 28°C (1998) and the record low is -6°C (1978).
Sapporo weather in May
In May, Sapporo averages a high of 18°C and a low of 8°C. It gets 52 mm of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 35% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 34°C (2019) and the record low is 1°C (1977). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Sapporo weather in June
In June, Sapporo averages a high of 22°C and a low of 13°C. It gets 57 mm of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 29% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 33°C (2025) and the record low is 4°C (1973). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Sapporo weather in July
In July, Sapporo averages a high of 26°C and a low of 17°C. It gets 84 mm of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 29% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 36°C (2000) and the record low is 9°C (1976). July is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Sapporo weather in August
In August, Sapporo averages a high of 27°C and a low of 19°C. It gets 122 mm of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 26% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 36°C (2000) and the record low is 9°C (1971). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Sapporo weather in September
In September, Sapporo averages a high of 23°C and a low of 14°C. It gets 130 mm of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 30% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 33°C (1990) and the record low is 5°C (1980).
Sapporo weather in October
In October, Sapporo averages a high of 16°C and a low of 7°C. It gets 102 mm of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 37% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 28°C (2025) and the record low is -1°C (1970).
Sapporo weather in November
In November, Sapporo averages a high of 9°C and a low of 1°C. It gets 110 mm of precipitation over about 17 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 22°C (2003) and the record low is -8°C (1974).
Sapporo weather in December
In December, Sapporo averages a high of 2°C and a low of -4°C. It gets 116 mm of precipitation over about 19 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 31% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 15°C (1989) and the record low is -14°C (1970).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Sapporo
April is the sunniest month in Sapporo, with estimated sunshine of 43% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. August is the cloudiest, at 26%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 33% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Sapporo is cloudier than 91% of Japan.
Humidity peaks in August at 85% and is lowest in April at 71%.
Sapporo has about 4 days a year above 32°C. Sapporo is cooler than 86% of Japan.
First and last freeze in Sapporo
The first fall freeze in Sapporo typically comes around November 12, and the last spring freeze around April 10. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 216 days.
Sapporo weather records
These records cover SAPPORO during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Sapporo station is 36°C, on August 7, 1994. The coldest is -19°C, on February 17, 1978.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 254 mm of precipitation, on July 10, 2026.
46 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The best time to visit Sapporo
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to August, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.
Winter (December–February) is cold, with average highs around 1°C and lows near -6°C.
Spring (March–May) is chilly, with average highs around 12°C and lows near 3°C.
Summer (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 25°C and lows near 16°C. It can feel humid.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 16°C and lows near 8°C.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -7° | -1° | 106 mm | 21 | 81% | 29% | 8° | -19° |
| February | -7° | 1° | 93 mm | 18 | 79% | 29% | 10° | -19° |
| March | -3° | 4° | 77 mm | 17 | 75% | 39% | 17° | -16° |
| April | 3° | 12° | 51 mm | 11 | 71% | 43% | 28° | -6° |
| May | 8° | 18° | 52 mm | 10 | 74% | 35% | 34° | 1° |
| June | 13° | 22° | 57 mm | 9 | 82% | 29% | 33° | 4° |
| July | 17° | 26° | 84 mm | 8 | 84% | 29% | 36° | 9° |
| August | 19° | 27° | 122 mm | 9 | 85% | 26% | 36° | 9° |
| September | 14° | 23° | 130 mm | 11 | 82% | 30% | 33° | 5° |
| October | 7° | 16° | 102 mm | 12 | 80% | 37% | 28° | -1° |
| November | 1° | 9° | 110 mm | 17 | 79% | 34% | 22° | -8° |
| December | -4° | 2° | 116 mm | 19 | 80% | 31% | 15° | -14° |
Station: SAPPORO, 1 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Sapporo climate questions
How much rain does Sapporo get?
Sapporo gets 1100 mm of precipitation in an average year, over about 161 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Sapporo?
September is the wettest month in Sapporo, with 130 mm. April is the driest, with 51 mm.
How many rainy days does Sapporo have a year?
Sapporo has about 161 days with measurable rain in an average year. January has the most, about 21.
What is the hottest month in Sapporo?
August is the warmest month in Sapporo, with an average high of 27°C.
What is the coldest month in Sapporo?
January is the coldest month in Sapporo, with an average low of -7°C.
What is the record high temperature in Sapporo?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Sapporo station is 36°C, set on August 7, 1994. The record low is -19°C, on February 17, 1978.
What is the sunniest month in Sapporo?
April is the sunniest month in Sapporo, with estimated sunshine of 43% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. August is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Sapporo?
The first fall freeze in Sapporo typically comes around November 12. The last spring freeze is around April 10.
What is the best time to visit Sapporo?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to August, when daytime highs sit near 23°C.