Scorching heat blankets most of Japan, heavy rain likely in Hokkaido

Scorching heat continues across wide regions of Japan. Weather officials are urging people to take extra care to avoid heatstroke.

Japan's Meteorological Agency says a high-pressure system is expected to hover over much of the country on Friday. Sunny weather is likely to drive up temperatures.

Daytime highs of 38 degrees Celsius are forecast for the cities of Saitama, Saga, Toyama and Tottori. The mercury is likely to reach 37 degrees in central Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kyoto, Maebashi and Fukui.

Officials of the Meteorological Agency and the Environment Ministry warn that the risk of heat-related illness is extremely high. They have issued heatstroke alerts for most parts of the country.

The intense heat is expected to continue through Sunday in western Japan, and through Thursday in eastern and northern parts of the country.

An increasing number of people have been coming down with heatstroke. Some cases have been fatal.

Officials are urging people to avoid non-essential outings, use air-conditioning appropriately and keep hydrated.

In the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, a rain front has been dumping torrential rain, mainly in the north.

The front is expected to move south over Hokkaido through Sunday, bringing intermittent heavy rain with thunder to areas along the Sea of Japan coast. Total rainfall in those areas through Sunday could exceed the average for the entire month of August.

Some parts of Hokkaido could have up to 100 millimeters of rain in the 24-hour period through Saturday morning.

Weather officials are calling on residents to be on the alert for mudslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230804_06/