Japanese meteorologists said extreme temperature swings are occurring across the country and Typhoon No. 13 is approaching the Ogasawara Islands [1].
These volatile weather patterns create simultaneous risks of heatstroke in the west and sudden cooling in the east, while the approaching storm threatens Pacific island territories.
In western Japan, a strong Pacific ridge is trapping hot air, leading to record-breaking heat. Forecasters said temperatures are expected to reach 40°C [2] in both Kumamoto and Saga [2]. Other major cities are also facing intense heat, with Osaka forecasted to reach 38°C [1].
Conversely, the Kanto region is experiencing a sharp drop in temperature. This shift is caused by cooler air from a high-pressure system over the Sea of Okhotsk moving into the area. In Tokyo, the maximum temperature is forecasted to be 27°C [1].
While the mainland deals with temperature extremes, Typhoon No. 13 is tracking northwestward. Meteorologists said the storm is expected to approach the Ogasawara Islands on July 4, 2026 [1]. The system is bringing strong winds and high waves to the region [1].
Local authorities and weather services continue to monitor the interaction between the Pacific ridge and the Okhotsk high-pressure system, a combination that has created the current thermal divide across the archipelago.
“Forecasters expect temperatures to reach 40°C in both Kumamoto and Saga.”
The simultaneous occurrence of a severe heatwave in western Japan and a cooling trend in the Kanto region demonstrates the volatile atmospheric pressure systems currently affecting the archipelago. The potential for 40°C temperatures represents a critical public health risk for heat-related illnesses, while the movement of Typhoon No. 13 maintains a state of alert for the Ogasawara Islands and potential future landfalls.
