As Japan braces for severe weather, the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings for heavy rain and strong winds across western and eastern regions starting May 9, 2025. Residents are urged to prepare as atmospheric conditions become unstable due to low-pressure systems and fronts moving in from the west.
On the morning of May 9, Kyushu will start experiencing rain, which will spread to Chugoku and Shikoku around noon, and by the afternoon, Kinki will also see widespread rain. By evening, rain will extend to the Tokai region, with Kanto and Hokuriku expecting rain late at night. The agency warns that from the evening of May 9, the Pacific side of western Japan could see extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 50 mm per hour, raising concerns for flooding and landslides.
Heavy rain warnings have been issued for several prefectures, including Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Nagasaki, with the potential for total rainfall to exceed 100 mm in areas like the Pacific side of southern Kyushu and Shikoku as well as the southeastern slopes of the Kii Peninsula. The risk of storms is particularly high in northern Kyushu, where authorities have advised caution.
According to the Meteorological Agency, the low-pressure system currently affecting the region is expected to move closer to the Korean Peninsula, causing the front to extend towards western Japan. This shift will likely result in increased rainfall and the possibility of sediment disasters, inundation of low-lying areas, and rising river levels from May 9 to May 10. The agency has issued early warning information for heavy rain across various prefectures, including Saga, Nagasaki, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima.
As the weather deteriorates, residents are encouraged to take precautions, such as cleaning gutters and securing items that could be blown away. The maximum wind speeds forecasted for May 9 are 20 meters per second (30 meters per second gusts) in the Tsushima Strait and the western sea of Kyushu, and 18 meters per second (30 meters per second gusts) on land.
On May 10, heavy rain is expected to shift to the Tokai and Kanto regions, with the peak rainfall occurring from dawn to morning in Tokai and from morning to just before noon in Kanto. The total rainfall in coastal areas may exceed 100 mm, and strong southerly winds are anticipated.
While the weather in western Japan is expected to improve on May 10, the forecast for May 11 indicates that new rain clouds will move in early, bringing rain before noon. Additionally, the Kanto region is likely to see rain in the evening on May 11.
Looking ahead, warm air from the south is predicted to flow into the region, leading to unseasonably high temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius in areas from Kyushu to Kanto. Even Hokkaido is expected to experience summer-like weather, prompting warnings about heat-related issues after the heavy rain.
In summary, the Japan Meteorological Agency is urging residents to stay informed and prepared as significant weather events unfold across the country. The combination of heavy rain, strong winds, and the potential for flooding presents a serious threat, particularly in western Japan. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary.
