Daily update- Wednesday, March 23, 2016

NWPAC outlook, 23 MAR

Temperatures hold steady across the north region as inclement weather moves through some areas. The central region will also see quite a bit of cloudiness and rain today. The heat continues for the south, but the prospects of some relief this weekend remain good. The tropics show some signs of life, but no development is expected. 

NORTH

Temperatures across the north are holding steady as high pressure remains in control over most of the region. A stationary frontal boundary is draped over portions of northwest China and Mongolia, and becomes active over northeastern China and Korea. This boundary is bringing a few clouds and showers to these areas, but the air mass behind this system has moderated quite a bit, so will do little in the way of changing temperatures as it moves through in the next 48 hours. The leading edge of this air mass is bringing some brisk northwest winds to western prefectures of central Japan, and as the moisture gets a lift from the topography, we find a few snow showers falling in the higher elevations, much to skiing enthusiast’s delight. This moisture remains intact as it slides over the Japanese Alps and will allow for a few showers to fall over Tokyo. The remainder of the region will see a nice day with just a few scattered clouds.

CENTRAL

Temperatures in the central region are fluctuating just a bit as changes on the way take shape in the form of weak impulses of energy sliding through the region. Rain is likely over most of southwestern and southern China, and a few thunderstorms are likely in northern portions of Vietnam. A new surge of cooler air is forecast to move into the area by the end of the week, helping to clear things out a bit and cool of temperatures.

 SOUTH

Average temperatures across the south region will peak near 34C (93F), with the most intense heat once again locked in over interior Indochina. Moisture is sparse across the northern portions of the region, allowing the ever-increasing intensity of the sun to beam down and really heat things up. As I mentioned yesterday, some relief may be on the way for portions of northern Vietnam and the northern Philippines, as what will likely be the season’s last continental surge looks to impact these areas over the weekend. Aside from a few thunderstorms in Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and parts of Malaysia, everyone else will see plenty of sunshine and just a few scattered clouds.

 TROPICS 

Some signs of life are starting to show up in the tropics, as a strong area of convergence slides along the I.T.C.Z. (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone) over the Marshall Islands and eastern Micronesia. Although this feature looks impressive on satellite, it’s really much ado about nothing, as shower activity is scarce and absolutely no development is expected. The Mariana Islands will see a bit of a warm-up ahead of another push of continental air moving through tonight, which will help fire off a few evening and overnight showers. Wake Island remains cooler than more southerly tropical locations due to continental influences as well. The remainder of the region will see picture-perfect weather with warm temperatures and partly cloudy skies.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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