Okinawa at its warmest in postwar period

August 2, 2016 Ryukyu Shimpo

According to the Okinawa Meteorological Observatory, average temperatures in the Okinawa region for July were higher than usual by 0.9 degree Celsius, equal to the highest temperature recorded since statistics started in 1946. The monthly average sea surface temperature in Southern Okinawa including Sakishima islands was 30.1 degree, higher than usual by 0.8, and the highest since 1982 when the analytical value was calculated for the first time.

The average Okinawa temperature anomalies were derived from averaged temperature anomalies in five areas including Naha, Kumejima, Miyakojima, Ishigaki Island, and Yonaguni Island. While the average temperature in Kumejima was higher than usual by 1.1 degree, the figures in four other areas were higher by 0.9.
Out of 26 observation points in Okinawa, monthly average temperatures in 9 areas including Izena, Nago, and Kumejima were the highest they have been for a year.

Sea surface temperatures have been high since the end of the rainy season, except for in the middle of July when Typhoon Nepartak hit the prefecture.

The meteorological observatory stated that while the equatorial sea surface temperature was higher than usual, areas around Indonesia have likely had cumulonimbus clouds, which may have brought damp air into areas around the Philippines. A pacific anticyclone moved westward and then covered the Okinawa region, which increased average temperatures there.

The observatory predicted that average temperatures in the region would continue to be high into August.

(English translation T&CT)

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