Japan: Adverse weather forecast across much of the country through at least Nov. 7

Severe weather is forecast across much of Japan through at least Nov. 7. As of Nov. 6, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a severe weather bulletin warning of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms from western to northern Japan Nov. 6-7, as well as strong winds generating rough seas in northern regions and along the Sea of Japan coast. Lightning, hail, and possible tornadoes may accompany storms. Rainfall totals of around 20 cm (8 inches) are possible in parts of Tokai Region, 15 cm (6 inches) in Kinki and Kanto Koshin regions, 12 cm (5 inches) in Hokkaido Prefecture, and 10 cm (4 inches) in Tohoku Region late Nov. 6-7. Winds gusting up to 126 kph (78 mph) are possible in Hokkaido Prefecture and Tohoku Region and 108 kph (67 mph) in Hokuriku Region. Waves may reach up to 6 meters (20 feet) in coastal areas of Hokkaido Prefecture and Tohoku and Hokuriku regions. Heavy downpours could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and landslides on unstable slopes. Strong winds may cause property damage and power outages.

As of Nov. 6, the JMA has issued the following weather warnings across the country:

• Red heavy rain, flood, and landslide warnings (the second lowest level on a four-tier scale): Soya Region in Hokkaido Prefecture.

• Yellow heavy rain/inundation warning: Parts of Fukui Prefecture in Hokuriku Region and Hyogo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Wakayama prefectures in Kinki Region.

• Yellow heavy rain/landslide warnings: Ishikari, Rumoi, and Sorachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, parts of Mire Prefecture in Tokai Region, and Tokushima Prefecture in Shikoku Region.

• Yellow flood warnings: Ishikari and Kamikawa regions in Hokkaido Prefecture and parts of Kochi and Tokushima prefectures in Shikoku Region.

• Yellow storm/gale warnings: Across Hokkaido Prefecture, Hokuriku Region, and Shikoku Region, much of Tohoku, Kanto Koshin, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku, and Northern Kyushu regions, and parts of Kagoshima Prefecture in Southern Kyushu Region.

• Yellow high wave warnings: Across much of Hokkaido and Okinawa prefectures and Tohoku, Kanto Koshin, Tokai, Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, Northern Kyuhsu, and Southern Kyushu regions.

• Yellow storm surge warnings: Shiribeshi and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, parts of Yamagata Prefecture in Tohoku Region, Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama prefectures in Hokuriku Region, Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures in Kinki Region, and Shimane Prefecture in Chugoku Region.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Across Hokkaido Prefecture and Tokai, Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Southern Kyuhsu regions, much of Kanto Koshin Region, and Aomori Prefecture in Tokai Region, Oita and Yamaguchi prefectures in Northern Kyushu Region, and the Daito Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

• Yellow dense fog warnings: Much of Hokkaido Prefecture and Gunma and Tochigi prefectures in Kanto Koshin Region.

Officials will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions develop over the coming days.

Sustained heavy rainfall will likely trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also probable in developed areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are likely in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rainfall has saturated the soil.

Authorities could issue additional evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are likely where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

Floodwaters and debris flows will likely render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters.

Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at airports in the affected areas. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.

Localized business disruptions will likely occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.