Daily update- Monday, March 21, 2016

NWPAC outlook, 21 MAR

A weak push of cooler air is affecting the north region as the central region gets ready for their shot later this week. Torrid heat continues in the south region as the tropics remain mostly quiet. 

NORTH

A shot of slightly cooler air is migrating through the north region to kick off the first official week of spring. There’s very little energy or moisture in the region, so conditions will remain pretty nice through the day for most locations. Eastern Russia will see a few rain drops and rain/sleet mixture as the sun sets this evening. Aside from a few clouds in western China associated with the stationary frontal boundary, the remainder of the north region will see only a mix of clouds and sun.

CENTRAL

The central region is starting to see slightly cooler temperatures today, with a stronger push expected as we get through the first few days of the week. A stalled frontal boundary to the south is allowing the development of a weak storm system over southeastern China, bringing a good dose of rainfall to Taipei today with a chance for thunderstorms in Hong Kong as the low pressure area deepens.  The remainder of the region will see a pretty nice day with plenty of sunshine amidst a few scattered clouds.

 SOUTH

Temperatures in the south continue to edge upwards, as the days grow longer and the sun’s angle increases. Although afternoon readings will be slightly less across many areas, dangerous heat can be expected in portions of Interior Indochina and the southern Philippines. There are hints of some relief, as a weak surge of slightly cooler and drier air pushes through some of the more northerly locations over the next 7 days, however, this air mass is moderating quickly, and will provide little more than a day of relief before intense heat returns. Skies will be partly cloudy across much of the region, with Singapore expecting a good chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

 TROPICS 

The tropics remain quiet today, as small ripples of energy ride along the ever-flowing I.T.C.Z. (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone). The I.T.C.Z. remains very far to the south, and convergent energy is quite weak. However, there are signs that moisture is increasing quickly in the region, especially in eastern portions. Northerly locations such as Guam and Wake will continue to see influence from continental air masses migrating eastward, so temperatures will be a bit cooler in these locations. Everyone else will see temperatures warming under partly cloudy skies.

Have a not-so-manic Monday!

Courtesy: CIMSS, HKO, Tropical Tidbits, Intellicast, Weather.com, MeteoEarth