http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/n...2004news.shtml

Japan is still recovering from one of the deadliest storms in more than a
decade. Typhoon Tokage's heavy rains unleashed flash floods and landslides
killing at least 69 people, as my colleagues have reported over the past few
days.

It was the record 10th typhoon to hit Japan this year, outstripping the
previous record of six, set in 1990. Normally about three storms make
landfall during the typhoon season that usually ends in late October.

The high number of storms is being blamed on warmer than usual sea water and
weaker than normal Pacific high pressure areas, and may well be an
indication of global warming.

Nock-Ten, the 24th typhoon in the Pacific Ocean region, is being closely
monitored as it heads towards Taiwan. Guam was spared from a direct hit, but
the winds and rain were enough to cause isolated flooding in southern areas
of the island.

Central Weather Bureau forecasters have said they can't determine whether
Nock-Ten will directly hit Taiwan until Saturday, as the typhoon is still
thousands of kilometres away and its direction could still be influenced by
many factors, including the northeast trade winds.

Regardless of whether or not it directly hits Taiwan, Nock-Ten will bring
tremendous amounts of rainfall to the island. It could also coincide with
the northeast monsoon season, which would mean torrential rains and
landslides.

Here in the UK, we may not have a typhoon on the way but it is going to be
very wet and windy this weekend.

Luckily I'm off to spend some time with our French counterparts. Sunshine
and 26 C, sounds good to me.

BBC - world weather news.


http://users.telenet.be/weathersite

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