Weather tracker: More extreme rain in Japan and a tornado in France
Flash flooding and mudslides in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, while convective storms hit western Europe Following an “unprecedented” deluge in Chiba in mid-August, Japan has had more extreme rainfall in recent days. Moisture from the Sea of Japan brought relentless heavy rain to the prefectures of Ishikawa and Toyama on Thursday. In Himi, Toyama, 361.5mm of rain fell in 24 hours, equivalent to half the average annual rainfall in London and Paris. As a result of the downpours, several rivers burst their banks, leading to flash floods and mudslides with trees felled and buildings damaged. Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued its highest-level rain warning within the two prefectures earlier in the week as well as landslide warnings, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of thousands from the region. Models on Thursday indicated there could be a further 200mm of rain just south of this region as it continues to come in from the west. Continue reading...
Flash flooding and mudslides in Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures, while convective storms hit western Europe
Following an “unprecedented” deluge in Chiba in mid-August, Japan has had more extreme rainfall in recent days. Moisture from the Sea of Japan brought relentless heavy rain to the prefectures of Ishikawa and Toyama on Thursday. In Himi, Toyama, 361.5mm of rain fell in 24 hours, equivalent to half the average annual rainfall in London and Paris. As a result of the downpours, several rivers burst their banks, leading to flash floods and mudslides with trees felled and buildings damaged.
Two days earlier, Typhoon Saudel had passed through the prefectures of Kagoshima and Okinawa Island, south-west of the mainland, bringing winds of 100mph (160km/h) and extreme rainfall. In the Amami region, 230mm rain fell in a day. The storm was forecast to move into south-east China by the end of the week, with much weaker winds.
While the warm ocean waters surrounding Japan often contribute to increased typhoon activity at this time of year, this year’s developing El Niño could explain why so many storms have approached the island nation and why there have been so many extreme rain events.