Tropical Storm Shanshan Drops Heavy Rain on Japan

Tropical Storm Shanshan dropped heavy on parts of southwestern Japan on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Shanshan was located at latitude 33.8°N and longitude 131.6°E which put the center about 20 miles (30 km) west of Matsuyama, Japan.  Shanshan was moving toward the east-northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

Former Typhoon Shanshan weakened to a tropical storm as it moved across Kyushu on Thursday.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Shanshan dropped heavy rain on parts of Kyushu, Shikoku and southwestern Honshu.  The heaviest rain fell in locations where southerly winds pushed air up the slopes of mountains.  A weather station in Yosuhara reported 16.37 inches (416 mm) of rain.  A weather station in Hongawa reported 13.05 inches (331.5 mm) of rain.  Heavy rainfall caused flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Shanshan weakened on Thursday as the center moved over land.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Shanshan’s circulation.  The heaviest rain was falling in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Shanshan.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of Shanshan.

An upper level trough over northeastern Asia will steer Tropical Storm Shanshan toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center Tropical Storm Shanshan will move across Shikoku during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Shanshan will continue to drop heavy rain on parts of southwestern Japan on Friday.  Heavy rain will fall in parts of Shikoku and southwestern Honshu.  The heaviest rain will fall where southerly winds push air up the slopes of mountains.  Heavy rain is likely to cause additional flash floods.