JMA - E. Asia Can Expect More Intense Rains As Warming Takes Hold - Asahi

Japan and other areas of East Asia can expect a heightened frequency of heavy rain, a trend that may be linked to global warming, the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a report Friday. It was the first time the agency has mentioned global warming as a possible factor in rainfall trends.

According to the agency's analysis of Japan's rainfall since 1901, the first three decades of the 20th century saw an average 25.18 days per year in which rainfall of 100 millimeters or more was measured. But the number of these wet days has been 29.95 in each of the last 30 years.

In addition, the first 30 years of the 20th century in Japan experienced 2.08 days of rainfall a year of at least 200 mm. The number has grown to 3.05 days a year in the last three decades.

"Japan and other countries in a wide range of East Asia share the same tendency of increasing heavy rain," the agency's report said. "It is possible that global warming, as well as the increased amount of water vapor in the air and other conditions caused by global warming, has contributed to the trend."

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http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200510290106.html