The weather in Okinawa is moody. Even when rain is forecast, it can be sunny, and even when sunny, it can rain.Weather forecasts for Okinawa are basically not very reliable.A follower says, "I'm going on a trip to Okinawa next week! How is the weather on the day?" I often get questions like "What will the weather be like on the day of the fat fat day? This is the most reliable answer. In fact, the weather in Okinawa is difficult to predict, and the forecast is often incorrect.
Even weather forecasters say that the weather in Okinawa is more unpredictable than on the mainland. We have summarized the reasons for this and how to be prepared as a traveler.
Table of Contents
5 Reasons Why Okinawa Weather Forecasts Are Not Accurate
We want to answer the weather questions we receive from our followers as accurately as possible. We do research on the weather in Okinawa, but the more we look into it, the more we think, "It's so unpredictable! lol....
1. unique climate of Okinawa
Okinawa has a subtropical climateand is a region of extreme climate change. Sudden weather changes occur frequently, and it is not uncommon for the weather to change in a short period of time. This makes weather forecasts less accurate.
(2) Okinawa is an island surrounded by the sea
Okinawa Island, Ishigaki Island, and Miyako Island are all surrounded by the sea, and this makes them prone to the formation of water vapor. This causes rain clouds to form suddenly, making it difficult to predict the weather.
3. there are no high mountains in Okinawa
Since there are no high mountains in Okinawa, rain clouds generated at sea tend to pass over the island. Forecasting is difficult because the weather changes rapidly, with rain starting, then stopping quickly, then clearing up again.
4. influence of oceanic weather
The weather in Okinawa is strongly influenced by oceanic weather. Changes in ocean surface temperature and ocean currents make the weather less predictable.
5. influence of surrounding atmospheric conditions
The weather in Okinawa is also greatly affected by atmospheric conditions. For example, when a typhoon occurs, it takes days for it to approach the mainland, but it approaches Okinawa much sooner. Also, the typhoon route in the long-term forecast can change, right? Therefore, long-term weather forecasts cannot be relied upon very much.
(1) It is the only subtropical region in Japan, and (2) the island's unique area is small and has almost no high-altitude mountains.The weather forecast for Okinawa is difficult to predict and cannot be relied upon. This leads to the conclusion that predicting the weather in Okinawa is difficult and forecasts are unreliable.
Preparing for the Weather in Okinawa
Based on these considerations, we would like to reiterate our preparedness for the weather in Okinawa.
1. do not trust long-term weather forecasts very much
The 10- or 14-day weather forecast for Okinawa is really changeable. Be careful not to trust it too much or it may throw off your plans.
If the forecast is sunny every day, you say, "It's going to be fine. If the forecast is for rain every day, you say, "The weather looks bad. If the forecast is for alternating sunshine and rain, think, "I don't know what to expect. If the forecast alternates between sunny and rainy days, you should think, "I don't know what to expect.
2. don't be caught off guard by short-term weather forecasts
Do not completely trust the 48-hour forecast or even the 3-day forecast. The only thing you can trust in Okinawa is the weather you see with your own eyes on that day, at that time, at that place.
3. check the weather forecast by city
This is quite important. Once you have decided on your destination, we recommend that you check the weather forecast for each city, town, and village on the morning of the day. This will give you more accurate weather information.
For example, it may be sunny in Okinawa City, but raining in nearby Chatan Town. Even within the same municipality, there are areas where it is raining and areas where it is not.
A common sight in the Okinawan sky is a passing shower. In the Okinawan language, it is called "katabui. On a dull day, you can often see weather like the picture above.
4. make use of rain cloud radar
The Okinawa-wide rain cloud radar available on tenki.jp is a somewhat useful tool when traveling in Okinawa. Especially on days when the weather is doubtful, you can enjoy a more comfortable trip by checking the rain cloud radar while deciding what to do.
5. increase the number of sunny days with long stays
It's not a tour de force, but in the end, the more days you spend in Okinawa, the more likely you are to encounter sunny days.
In Okinawa Prefecture,The ratio of "sunny days: cloudy and rainy days" is almost "1:1."It is. By taking a long stay, you can physically increase the probability of encountering a sunny day. For example, if you travel to Okinawa for 4 days and 3 nights, the probability is 93.7% that you will encounter a sunny day.
summary
The weather in Okinawa can be difficult to read, but if you take the proper precautions, you will have a better travel experience. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Okinawa to the fullest with a long stay or flexible planning.
Contributor Profile
- Okinawa travel media "OKIBRA" has been happily operated since 2020 by Kazunari, a computer geek, and Son-chan, an anime & food lover! They love Okinawa so much that they have visited more than 50 hotels and 500 restaurants in the prefecture, and they share the charms of Okinawa on Instagram and on the web. We will bring you the charms of Okinawa that you can't find anywhere else, from the unique perspective of a husband and wife team!
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