TOKYOSep 2 (Japan News) – Japan has experienced its hottest summer on record for the second year in a row, with temperatures equaling those of 2023.
The extreme heat has hit several regions, with northern, eastern and western Japan all recording significantly higher than average temperatures. Tokyo and Osaka saw numerous extremely hot days, with temperatures in some locations exceeding 40ยฐC.
The heat has led to changes in events and school activities, including the postponement of summer festivals and the cancellation of school swimming sessions. Looking ahead, the record-breaking heat is expected to continue until September, with the possibility of slow-moving typhoons and sudden thunderstorms. The high pressure from the Pacific Ocean, which dominates the summer, is expected to become stronger than normal and spread across the Japanese archipelago.
As moist air flows along the edge of this high pressure, sudden thunderstorms or “guerrilla rain showers” are expected in September. Sudden weather changes should be closely monitored.
This year, Tokyo has already seen an increase in the number of thunderstorm days and this trend may continue for another month as the high pressure area over the Pacific Ocean strengthens due to conditions in the south.
Near the equator there is a tendency for cloud formation, which leads to rising air currents. However, to balance this out the air has to sink somewhere and high pressure becomes stronger north of the cloud-covered areas, leading to warmer conditions.
Typhoon No. 10 has already had widespread impact and Typhoon No. 11 is forming. While impact on Japan is expected to be limited, conditions remain favorable for typhoon formation.
Hirose added that the cloud mass east of Typhoon No. 11 could develop into a tropical depression (a precursor to a typhoon). He advised staying alert for typhoon updates throughout the week.
Typhoon No. 10 was a slow-moving storm, which made the impact last longer. This trend could continue into September.
Source: TBS
