The Pacific high-pressure system that usually covers the Japanese archipelago during the summer season inclined to the north during the first half of August, heating up northern and eastern Japan and unleashing rain on the southern and western regions, according to the Meteorological Agency.
The unusual positioning of the high-pressure system has caused the average high temperature in Sapporo during the period to exceed that of tropical Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, agency officials said after analyzing data collected by Friday.
The agency said the high-pressure system is likely to prevail over the entire archipelago in the latter half of August, adding that the reason for its strange positioning earlier this month is not known.