Daily update- Friday, April 1, 2016

NWPAC outlook, 01 APR

Spring continues to settle into the north and central regions, as the south remains locked into summer. The tropics remain quiet, but there are long-range signs of some activity. 

NORTH

A weal low-pressure area and cold front will slide over southern Japan today, bringing some clouds and showers to the southern one-third of the archipelago. Another storm system is moving into eastern Russia from Mongolia, with a few clouds and showers and some cooler air behind it. Some of this cooler air has also settled into northern China, helping lower temperatures and humidity levels. A few clouds are drifting over portions of central China as moisture moves in from the west. The majority of locations throughout the region will enjoy a nice day with sunny to partly cloudy skies.

CENTRAL

The western extent of a frontal system is moving eastward offshore of Taiwan today, helping to provide some moisture and lift, bringing a few clouds and cooler temperatures to the island. Cloudy skies are also dominant in southern China and northern Vietnam as moisture from the west gets pulled in by the remnants of this frontal boundary, and this will help keep temperatures in check over these locations. The remainder of the region will see a pleasant day today, with plenty of sunshine, warm temperatures, and plenty of sunshine.

 SOUTH

Temperatures are still very hot across portions of Southeast Asia and the south region, as the summer season settles in completely. A few showers could fall over portions of the northern Philippines as the strong easterly flow continues to bring in moisture from the east as part of the seasonal northeast monsoon. Some tropical moisture will move through Indonesia and Brunei, helping provide some moisture for afternoon thundershowers in these spots, while everyone else enjoys a rain-free day with lots of sunshine.

TROPICS 

Scattered, weak impulses of energy are sliding through the tropic region as convergence continues to help for weak waves of energy along the I.T.C.Z. (Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone). This energy is strung along the entirety of the tropics, from western Micronesia to the Marshall Islands. The G.F.S. (Global Forecasting System) long-range forecast model shows a VERY weak system developing next week in Western Micronesia, and tracking to the west-northwest towards the Philippines as it weakens. Although no significant development is expected, it COULD spell some much-needed rainfall relief for the southern two-thirds of the archipelago by next weekend. Since this forecast is still several days out, there is low confidence in its accuracy, however, any good news on the horizon is worth sharing, and we will keep you updated.

Have a far-out Friday!

Courtesy: CIMSS, Tropical Tidbits, Intellicast, WUnderground.com, MeteoEarth