Disruptive storm to lash Japan with heavy rain, strong winds into Sunday

A potent storm will raise the risk for flash flooding, damaging winds and travel disruptions across Japan into early Sunday.

Rain and gusty winds accompanying the storm will spread from west to east across the country.

The rain will pour down heavily at times in many communities, while the strongest winds can blast the western and southern coasts and the mountains.

The howling winds will stir up dangerous seas for operators of small craft.

The greatest risk for flooding is expected across western Kyushu, as well as along the southwest-facing slopes of the mountains in Shikoku and western and central Honshu.

Rainfall can average 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) with locally higher amounts. Mudslides can also be triggered.

The air is expected to be cold enough for snow to blanket the mountains of Hokkaido into Sunday.

Even where flooding does not ensue, heavy rain can create hazards for motorists by reducing visibility and heightening the risk of vehicles hydroplaning when traveling at highway speeds.

"There will be a solid soaking in Tokyo into Sunday morning," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said, "but rather than flooding, our concern there is for strong winds causing power outages."

Wind gusts of 80-95 km/h (50-60 mph) will blast Tokyo late Saturday night into Sunday morning.

In addition to power outages, winds of this magnitude in Tokyo can down trees. Any loose lawn items can easily be tossed around and damaged. Flights can be delayed.

Residents can wake up with driveways and streets littered with tree branches. Motorists may have to find alternate routes where roads become blocked by downed trees and/or power lines.

Anyone with plans on Sunday morning should consider using an alarm clock with batteries or ensuring their cell phone is fully charged before heading to bed.

Conditions will gradually improve on Sunday as the storm departs. While winds will not be as strong as earlier in the day, gusty winds in the afternoon could still hinder power restoration crews.

A little rain can linger for a time into Sunday afternoon in Tokyo, but some sunshine may return by day's end.

Temperatures on Sunday are set to soar to around 24 C (75 F), which is well above Saturday’s more seasonable high of 18 C (65 F).

Elsewhere in Japan, rain and mountain snow can persist in Hokkaido on Sunday. Rain showers streaming into northwestern Honshu to end the weekend may eventually change to snow showers in the mountains by Sunday night.

Even drier and calmer weather awaits on Monday before a new storm approaches the country from the south Tuesday into Wednesday. This storm could bring another round of locally heavy rainfall to Tokyo.

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