Japan's 2-Week Forecast: Rain in the North, Heat in the South
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Japan's latest two-week weather forecast points to a striking contrast between the north and the south of the country.
From the Kanto region down through Hokkaido, forecasters expect predominantly cloudy skies with frequent rain over the coming days.
By contrast, areas stretching from Tokai to Kyushu are set to endure continued severe zansho, the intense, lingering heat that often follows the peak of summer in Japan.
In Hokkaido specifically, forecasters have warned of sudden, intense downpours and thunderstorms through the 21st, urging residents to remain cautious.
Abashiri, a city in Hokkaido, has meanwhile set a notable weather milestone, recording a consecutive run of midsummer days, officially days on which the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, for the first time in 80 years.
This unusual streak highlights how even Japan's northern regions, typically associated with cooler summers, have not been immune to the extreme heat affecting much of the country this season.
Despite the anticipated sunshine over the coming weekend, which should bring favourable conditions for outdoor activities across Hokkaido, the underlying pattern of severe late-summer heat is expected to persist there as well.
Later in the two-week outlook, however, conditions in Hokkaido are projected to shift, with temperatures gradually easing. At the region's main weather-observation points, no further midsummer days are currently forecast during that period, suggesting a possible, if modest, return towards more typical late-season temperatures.
Taken together, the forecast underscores a broader pattern seen across Japan this year: while northern areas grapple with a mix of unstable, wetter conditions and intermittent heat, central and southern regions remain locked in a stretch of persistent, oppressive warmth with little immediate sign of relief.
The contrasting outlooks serve as a reminder of how varied Japan's climate can be even within a single season, as different regions experience markedly different weather risks, from sudden storms in the north to sustained heat stress further south.
Vocabulary5 words
- weather forecast
- official information about weather expected in the future
- zansho
- strong heat that continues after the main part of summer ends
- thunderstorms
- storms that bring thunder, lightning and heavy rain
- midsummer days
- official term for days with temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius
- outdoor activities
- activities done outside, often for leisure or sport
Quiz
Answer key
1. The north sees more cloud and rain, while the south faces continued severe heat 2. It had a run of midsummer days not seen in 80 years 3. True
Discussion questions
- What factors might explain such a strong contrast in weather between northern and southern Japan during the same period?
- How significant do you think it is that Hokkaido, a traditionally cooler region, is experiencing this kind of extreme heat record?
- What are the risks associated with sudden thunderstorms and heavy rain, especially in areas not used to them?
- In your view, how should communities prepare for both prolonged heat and sudden severe weather within the same season?