Western Pacific Weather Update: Key Features to Watch
1. Rainy Season Front in Eastern China and Japan
Today, the weather across the western Pacific is marked by two significant features. The first is the rainy season front stretching across Eastern China and Japan. This front is not only bringing heavy rainfall but also intense heat. Over the past few days, record-breaking temperatures have been reported in parts of Japan, including Mie Prefecture, where the mercury nearly hit 40 degrees Celsius. Tragically, this extreme heat has resulted in two deaths due to heat stroke.
In China, the combination of heat and instability along the front has led to heavy rain showers and strong thunderstorms. Recently, Shandong Province experienced a powerful tornado, which resulted in one fatality and 79 injuries. The video of this tornado, which occurred on July 5th, is quite remarkable and can be viewed below.
2. Upper-Level Low and Monsoon Over the Philippines
The second major weather pattern is the upper-level low and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) over the Philippines. This system continues to bring instability, resulting in moderate to strong afternoon showers and thunderstorms. These storms can produce short bursts of heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and even the possibility of weak tornadoes or waterspouts.
The Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, is characterized by moist, warm air from the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, leading to increased rainfall and cooler temperatures across the region. This seasonal weather pattern is a key feature of the Philippines’ climate.
Long-Range Outlook
Looking ahead to mid-July, some weather models suggest the potential for tropical development in the Philippine Sea. While it is not uncommon to see storms in the western Pacific during July, this is something to keep an eye on.