Brief
Tokyo endures record 35 days of rain amid El Niño heat
The capital recorded 35 straight rainy days, a rise in vegetable prices and health concerns, officials say.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Tokyo has endured a record 35 consecutive days of rain, officials said, as El Niño‑driven high‑pressure fronts keep showers falling across the city.
Between the start of September and Monday, central Tokyo recorded 629 mm (24.8 inches) of rain, nearly three times the normal amount, and only 45.8 hours of daylight – the second‑lowest on record, according to the Mainichi Shimbun.
The prolonged wet spell has pushed up vegetable prices, strained tourism and raised health worries. Dr Hiromichi Ito, a clinic director, told the Sankei Shimbun that low pressure, high humidity and constant rain can cause headaches, dizziness and other symptoms.
Masayuki Kyoda, an official at the Japan Meteorological Agency, told AFP that “autumn rain fronts are staying longer than usual,” while noting the agency’s report that global warming is influencing Japan’s long‑term precipitation patterns.
The streak surpasses the previous record of 33 days set in 2019, and follows earlier weather events such as Typhoon Dujuan, which caused flooding and eight deaths in neighbouring Chiba prefecture.
Key facts
- Tokyo experienced 35 consecutive days of rain, the longest streak since records began in 1886. (theguardian.com)
- Central Tokyo received 629 mm (24.8 in) of rain from early September to early October. (theguardian.com)
- Daylight fell to 45.8 hours over the same period, the second lowest on record. (theguardian.com)
- Vegetable prices have risen sharply due to the extended rainfall. (theguardian.com)
- Doctors warn that constant rain, low pressure and high humidity can cause headaches and dizziness. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Tokyo succumbs to ‘rain fatigue’ after a record 35 consecutive days of showers”
