Japanese weather officials are warning that unstable atmospheric conditions will likely bring heavy rain to large parts of the country. They also urged caution regarding possible downpours on Friday in the Noto region of Ishikawa Prefecture, central Japan, following last month’s heavy rainfall damage.
The Meteorological Agency says warm, moist air is flowing toward the autumn rain front stretching from the East China Sea to near Japan’s main island of Honshu, causing unstable atmospheric conditions nationwide.
The agency says rain clouds are developing mainly in the Tokai region along the Pacific coast in central Japan.
In the hour through 6 p.m. on Thursday, Gujo City in Gifu Prefecture saw 50 millimeters of torrential rain, while Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, recorded 43 millimeters.
The agency says unstable conditions will continue from Hokkaido through Okinawa, as the rain front is likely to be stationary on Friday. Thunderstorms are predicted in some areas.
In the 24-hour period through Friday evening, rainfall is expected to reach up to 200 millimeters in the Tokai region, 150 millimeters in Okinawa, 120 millimeters in the Shikoku and Kinki regions, and 100 millimeters in Hokkaido.
The meteorological agency is urging people in these regions to be on the alert for landslides, swelling rivers, lightning, tornadoes and hail.
People are also advised to seek shelter in sturdy buildings when there are signs of thunderheads approaching.
In the Noto region, there may be heavy downpours on Friday from morning to early afternoon due to the passage of a low-pressure system. The region suffered damage from record rainfall in September.
The agency is warning that even a small amount of rain could increase the risk of landslides and floods in the region due to impact of the massive New Year’s Day earthquake and the recent record rainfall.
People are urged to stay away from cliffs and streams.