Cloud cover as well as torrential rain in some areas of northern to southwestern Japan on Sunday provided a break from the hot weather since late July, the weather agency said.
While the mercury still topped 35 C at 40 observation points across Japan, including 36.9 C in Oita, 36.8 C in Fukushima and 36.2 C in Tottori prefectures, the number of hot weather areas fell from this summer's peak of 177 marked Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
An inflow of cool air resulted in cloudy or rainy weather in areas such as the northern prefecture of Hokkaido, the Tokai region in central Japan and the southwestern main island of Kyushu, with heavy rain of 42.0 millimeters per hour, tying a record high, logged in Hokkaido's Shakotan town, 36.5 mm in Hyuga, Miyazaki Prefecture and 33.5 mm in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture.
The weather is expected to remain cloudy or rainy for some days but temperatures are forecast to be higher than average, the agency said.