Okinawa temperatures highest, rainfall lowest ever in August

According to the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory’s updated agricultural meteorology statistics for the first half of August, the average temperature was 1.5 degrees higher than the average and the highest since the observatory started recording the statistics in 1961.

The rainfall also was the lowest, and there are reports of sugar cane dying in some areas of Okinawa because of the lack of rain since the mid July. The effects of the poor rainfall are of special concern on remote islands because many of them have relatively poor water sources other than rainfall.

The difference in the average temperature is calculated based on the data from five observatory points in Naha, and on the islands of Kume, Miyako, Ishigaki and Yonaguni.

The precipitation in August has been the smallest since 1998.

The water level in the 11 dams on Okinawa Main Island stands at 90.1%, but remote islands face serious conditions. For example, the reservoir on Ikei Island off Miyako has dried up.

According to Okinawa Meteorological Observatory, one of the reasons for the situation is a significantly enhanced North Pacific High stretching to the Japanese southern seas that has caused the enhanced Tibetan High to cover Okinawa and Amami islands areas. Officials at the observatory say that, “To have the Tibetan High above North Pacific High is very rare.” They add that

The situation is not expected to change, and little precipitation can be expected over at least next couple of weeks.

08:26 06 Dec , 2024