Disruptive Rain for Japan to Start the Week

By Adam Douty, Meteorologist

April 12,2015; 9:32PM,EDT

 

 

Several rounds of rain will cross Japan early this week, leading to the threat of flooding in southern parts of the country.
Cities from Nagoya to Tokyo will be at the greatest risk for heavy rainfall as an unusually strong trough of low pressure pulls moisture northward from the Philippines Sea.
While the heaviest rain and greatest threat for flooding will occur across southeastern Honshu, several days of clouds and rain will lead to travel delays in the air and on the ground across much of the country.
Along the southeastern coast of Honshu, from Nagoya to Tokyo, rainfall totals from Monday into Tuesday are expected to be 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) with a few locations seeing upwards of 125 mm (5 inches). Locally heavy rain is also expected to fall in southern Shikoku.
Rounds of heavy rain in urban areas will lead to the risk for flash flooding in low-lying areas. Snowmelt from the higher terrain in the Japanese Alps can also exacerbate the flooding concern in mountain river valleys.

Across the rest of Japan, lighter rainfall will lessen the concern of flooding, but several days of rainfall could lead to lengthy travel delays.
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This same disturbance will also bring rain to eastern China to start the week. Shanghai will be one area likely to see a damp Monday as a few showers cross the region.
Eastern China will dry out through the middle of the week, but areas of rain are expected to linger in Japan through Wednesday. The heaviest of the rain, however, will have exited the country.