Climate of the Kyushu (North) district

Figure 1 Location of Fukuoka City and Nagasaki City

Figure 2 Seasonal variation of meteorological elements in Fukuoka City
The green, red and blue lines indicate monthly averages of daily mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, respectively. The blue and brown bars show monthly precipitation amounts and monthly sunshine durations, respectively.

Seasonal variation of meteorological elements in Nagasaki City

Figure 3 Same as Figure 2 but for Nagasaki City

Winter (December-January-February)

Figure 4 Weather chart for 00UTC on 6 January 2011
The Siberian High developed over the Eurasian Continent and the Aleutian Low developed over the northern North Pacific. Cold air flowed southeastward across Japan, bringing cloudy conditions to Kyushu (North).

In winter (December-January-February), the Siberian High develops over the Eurasian Continent and the Aleutian Low develops over the northern North Pacific. Prevailing northwesterly winds cause the advection of cold air from Siberia to Kyushu (North) and bring cloudy conditions to the area, though precipitation amounts are small.

Spring (March-April-May)

Figure 5 Weather chart for 00UTC on 3 April 2012
A cyclonic system developed rapidly, bringing strong winds and high temperatures to western and eastern Japan.

In spring (March-April-May), migratory cyclones and anticyclones that alternately move eastward prevail across Japan. Temperature increases (decreases) in front (back) of cyclonic systems due to warm southerly (cold northerly) flow. Temperature in Kyushu (North) rises gradually with large short-term variations. Kosa (Aeolian dust transported from deserts or semi-arid areas of the Asian continent by westerly winds, resulting in yellow skies and haze) is sometimes observed over Kyushu (North). The sunshine duration is long in the second half of spring due to the predominance of anticyclonic systems.

Summer (June-July-August)

Figure 6 Weather chart for 00UTC on 24 June 2012
The Baiu front brought heavy rainfall to Kyushu.

The period from early June to the middle of July is the rainy season (known as the Baiu). Its precipitation is caused by a stationary front, called the Baiu front, which forms where a warm maritime tropical air mass meets a cool polar maritime air mass. Kyushu (North) has one of Japan's highest rainfall totals. In the second half of summer, the North Pacific High extends northwestward around Japan, bringing very hot, humid, and sunny conditions, sometimes accompanied by temperatures of 35°C or above, to Kyushu (North).

Autumn (September-October-November)

Figure 7 Weather chart for 00UTC on 24 October 2012
The passage of an anticyclonic system brought sunny conditions to eastern and western Japan and to Okinawa/Amami.

In autumn (September-October-November), temperatures fall gradually. The autumnal rain front and tropical cyclones affect autumn weather. In October, the frequent passage of anticyclonic systems brings sunny conditions and refreshing air to Kyushu (North).

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