Tokyo sets a new record with 34 straight days of rain

Central Tokyo set a new record for most consecutive rainy days with 34 on Tuesday, according to data from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

A 33-day streak in June and July of 2019 had been the previous high since JMA recordkeeping began in 1886. The amount of rainfall for Tokyo is tracked from an observation site in Chiyoda Ward.

The current stretch began on Aug. 27, when Tokyo received 5 millimeters of rain. While many days have seen minimal rain, two typhoons brought heavy rainfall in September.

Typhoon Krovanh caused more than 150 mm of total rainfall over Sept. 6 and 7, while the subsequent Typhoon Dujuan peaked at 156 mm on Sept. 21. The latter storm triggered flooding and landslides in the Kanto region, killing at least 10 and causing extensive damage to buildings, agriculture and infrastructure.

As Typhoon Surigae makes its way northeast, it could potentially make landfall and bring heavy rain to the Kanto region again, particularly in Chiba Prefecture, which is still reeling from Dujuan’s impact. Meanwhile, the JMA forecasts rain for nearby Tokyo on Wednesday and Thursday, which would further extend the streak.

Tokyo has received an unusually high amount of rain throughout the year and the month of September. Through Monday, Tokyo had recorded 629 mm of precipitation in September, the second highest for the month since recordkeeping began in 1875. The total rainfall for the year through Sept. 28 was 1,949.5 mm, which already is the third highest in a year since 1951.

There have also been more rainy days. Tokyo has seen four days with at least 100 mm of precipitation and six with at least 70 mm so far this year, both of which tie for the most in a year since 1875.

The prolonged rain has also led to historically low levels of sunlight. Over the past month, central Tokyo received 46.8 total hours of sunshine, which is just 36% of the yearly average for the same period. During the ongoing rainfall streak through Monday, which largely overlaps with this period, there have been 14 days with no sunshine at all.