TOKYO - Severe heat spread across Japan on July 20 as a Pacific high-pressure system covered much of the country, pushing the temperature in central Tokyo to 35 degrees Celsius for the first time this year.
The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that unusually high temperatures are expected to continue across eastern and western Japan through around July 24, urging the public to take precautions against heatstroke and other health risks.
The summer Pacific high extended over the main island of Honshu, while warm air of at least 21 degrees Celsius flowed into the region at an altitude of about 1,500 meters. Strong sunshine from the morning caused temperatures to rise rapidly.
The AMeDAS observation station at Kitanomaru Park in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward recorded 35 degrees at 11:09 a.m., marking the capital's first extremely hot day of the year, a designation used when the daily maximum temperature reaches 35 degrees or higher.
Other parts of the Kanto region also experienced intense heat. By 11 a.m., the temperature had reached 35.8 degrees in Hatoyama, Saitama Prefecture, and 35.4 degrees in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture.
Temperatures were expected to rise further during the afternoon, with some areas forecast to experience heat exceeding normal body temperature. The risk of heatstroke was expected to remain extremely high until around sunset.
People were advised to avoid outdoor exercise and, when outdoor activity was unavoidable, to drink sufficient water, replenish salt and take frequent breaks in cool places.
The agency also announced that the rainy season appeared to have ended in the Tokai and Kanto-Koshin regions. The end came one day later than average in both regions, 23 days later than last year in Tokai and 22 days later in Kanto-Koshin.
Source: Kyodo
