Heatwave throughout Japan to persist into Wednesday
The Meteorological Agency said a high-pressure system on Tuesday pushed up temperatures nationwide.
Daytime highs hit 39 degrees in Fukuchiyama City, Kyoto Prefecture, 38.6 degrees in Date City, Fukushima Prefecture, and 38.5 degrees in Daigo Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. Temperatures were more than 10 degrees higher than usual in eastern areas of Hokkaido in northern Japan.
For Wednesday in Hokkaido, weather officials forecast daytime highs of 39 degrees in Kitami City, 38 degrees in Obihiro City and 37 degrees in Mombetsu City.
In parts of Kitami City, the temperature could reach nearly 40 degrees Celsius, in what's being described as life-threatening heat.
Elsewhere in the country, the mercury is expected to reach 39 degrees in Hita City, Oita Prefecture, and 38 degrees in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture.
Heatstroke alerts have been issued for wide areas around the archipelago from Hokkaido to Kyushu in the southwest. People are advised to use air conditioning, consume adequate amounts of water and salt, and to take breaks during outdoor activities.
Weather officials say atmospheric conditions have become unstable mainly in inland areas of eastern Japan due to the intense heat and a cold air mass.
They say heavy rain is possible mainly in eastern Japan on Tuesday night and Wednesday. They are calling for caution against flooding, mudslides, swollen rivers, lightning strikes, gusts and hail.
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