TOKYO, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Japan's weather agency said Friday the rainy season appears to have begun in the southern Kyushu region, marking the first part of the country to see the start of this year's rainy season.
The start of the season in the region comes 14 days earlier than usual and 23 days earlier than last year, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
Southern Kyushu is likely to see cloudy and rainy weather for about a week due to moist air flowing toward a weather front around the East China Sea, the JMA said.
This year, the rain has not yet arrived in the southwestern regions of Okinawa and Amami, where the rainy season usually starts in the country, weather officials said.
Meanwhile, unstable atmospheric conditions are expected in the country on Saturday due to a weather front and a passing low-pressure area.
The JMA said heavy rains are forecast in western and eastern Japan, warning of possible lightning, strong winds and tornadoes. ■
