Atmospheric conditions have become extremely unstable in wide areas due mainly to an autumn rain front, bringing heavy rain to western Japan and the Kanto-Koshin region. Downpours also fell in Tokyo.
The Meteorological Agency says the unstable conditions were caused by warm, moist air flowing into the front. On Thursday afternoon, heavy rain hit western Japan and the Kanto-Koshin region, with lightning strikes observed in Tokyo and other areas.
In the hour until 2:30 p.m., 89 millimeters of rain fell in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo.
In the hour until 2 p.m., a rain gauge set up by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Hinohara Village recorded 41 millimeters, and another in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, recorded 34 millimeters.
The front is expected to remain almost stationary, with atmospheric conditions expected to remain extremely unstable mainly in western and eastern Japan toward late tonight, due to rising temperatures.
Heavy rain with thunder is expected from Kyushu in southern Japan to Tohoku in the north. Localized torrential rain of more than 50 millimeters per hour is expected to continue in Kanto-Koshin and other areas.
People are advised to be alert for flooding in low-lying areas and underground facilities, mudslides, swollen rivers, lightning strikes, strong gusts of wind such as tornadoes, and hail.
If there are signs of developed storm clouds approaching, such as sudden darkness or cold winds, people are advised to take shelter in sturdy buildings.
AloJapan.com