Research by the Fukuoka Local Meteorological Observatory appears to show that global warming is having an impact on Kyushu. The average annual temperature of the Kyushu/Yamaguchi region has increased by 1.69°C over the past 100 years, with the average uptick for each prefectural seat in Kyushu exceeding the national average of 1.14°C. At 2.5°C, the increase has been particularly marked in Fukuoka City. Meanwhile, instances of extremely hard rains, i.e., precipitation of 50mm/hour or more, have increased 1.5 times in the past 30 years. Looking at changes in cherry tree bloom dates, the average bloom date for the Kyushu/Yamaguchi region is 5.9 days earlier than a half century ago, while that in Fukuoka City is 9.7 days earlier. Surface temperatures of the waters surrounding Kyushu have also risen. The observatory’s full report is available on its homepage. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 4/3
Image: Nokonoshima Island, Fukuoka City. Source.
