Japan is experiencing its strongest cold wave of the season, with multiple prefectures recording over 1 m (3.3 feet) of snowfall in just 72 hours, setting multiple records across the country.
Heavy sea-effect snow has been affecting parts of Japan since Thursday, January 9, 2025, with more than 1 m (3 feet) of snow already registered in some regions and snowfall expected to persist through Saturday. Certain areas have already received twice the usual snowfall.
Former Super Typhoon “Kong-rey” brought record-breaking rainfall to coastal China after causing significant destruction in Taiwan, where it left 3 people dead and over 500 injured. What’s left of this storm is now moving toward Japan, with western regions already experiencing its effects, expected to last into November 2. Eastern Japan and the Tohoku region are likely to be impacted from November 2 to 3, with risks of landslides, flooding in low-lying areas, and rising river levels.
Eleven people have been confirmed dead following unprecedented rainfall that hit Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture on Friday and Saturday, September 21 and 22, 2024, resulting in severe flooding and widespread damage across the region.
Heavy torrential rains struck the Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan on Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21, 2024, leading to severe flooding in the region, and prompting the highest level of flood alert. Wajima City recorded 318.5 mm (12.5 inches) of rainfall between Friday and Saturday, while Suzu recorded 226 mm (8.9 inches) of rain within the same period. One person was killed and more than 10 remain missing, as of 12:00 UTC today.
Tropical Storm “Bebinca” — the 13th named storm of the 2024 Pacific typhoon season, formed on September 13, 2024, as it passed near Guam. The system is forecast to continue moving toward Japan, cross the Ryukyu Islands today, and make landfall in the coastal area around Shanghai, China on Monday morning (LT), September 16.
Typhoon “Shanshan” made landfall near Satsumasendai City in Kyushu, Japan on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The powerful storm, with wind gusts reaching 198 km/h (123 mph), triggered severe flooding and landslides, prompting evacuation orders affecting millions in southwestern Japan.
Typhoon “Shanshan” has slowed down as it neared Japan on August 26, 2024. The system is projected to approach western Japan and the Amami region from Tuesday through Wednesday, August 27 and 28, bringing strong winds and heavy rain, particularly along the Pacific coast. JTWC forecast places the landfall point south of Sasebo at approximately 15:00 UTC on August 29 with maximum sustained winds of around 150 km/h (92 mph).
Roughly 100 mm (3.9 inches) of rain fell over Tokyo in an hour on Thursday, August 22, 2024, causing severe flooding across the city, overwhelming the drainage system, and causing manhole covers to blow off.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued warnings for fierce winds, high waves, and potential landslides as Typhoon “Ampil” grazed the country on August 16, 2024. The storm, currently located off the Pacific coast, has prompted evacuation orders for over 340 000 residents and led to significant disruptions in transportation and power supply.
