By Blake Cotcamp
Meteorology Intern
Summary: As spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere, our weekly weather summary for shipping has major snow events looking less and less likely for the near future. As a result, only a couple of minor threats to shipping are forecast this week, as a rain storm in Japan and a storm off of the U.S. East Coast are expected to bring blustery conditions to their affected areas.
North America
No significant weather threats to shipping are forecast.
Europe
No significant weather threats to shipping are forecast.
Asia
Japan
It appears that southern Japan is in for a wet week, as a significant rain storm is forecasted to move through the island chain on Wednesday. This rain is predicted to be heavy at times, especially in the higher elevations with an outside chance at moderate flooding occurring. Cities including Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya could receive up to 1.5 inches of rain during the day and as a result, minor transportation delays are possible for these cities on Wednesday.
Forecast for precipitation totals in Japan at the end of Wednesday.
(Source: Weather Online)
It appears that southern Japan is in for a wet week, as a significant rain storm is forecasted to move through the island chain on Wednesday. This rain is predicted to be heavy at times, especially in the higher elevations with an outside chance at moderate flooding occurring. Cities including Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya could receive up to 1.5 inches of rain during the day and as a result, minor transportation delays are possible for these cities on Wednesday.
Australia and Oceania
No significant weather threats to shipping are forecast.
Atlantic Ocean
Another storm on Wednesday is expected to have an impact on shipping in the North Atlantic, as a moderate-strength cyclone is being forecast to move parallel to the U.S. East Coast while staying just offshore. Rough conditions at sea are expected to begin late Tuesday night off of the coast of Florida and will progress up the Eastern Seaboard throughout Wednesday into the early evening. This cyclone will bring heavy rain and strong winds to the waters off of the East Coast which is likely to slow any shipping traversing this area on Wednesday. Any effects on land areas should be minimal, as this storm is expected to generate only light rain on the coasts.
Forecast for 2 pm ET on Wednesday, showing the cyclone off of the U.S. East Coast.
(Source: National Center for Environmental Research)
Pacific Ocean
No significant weather threats to shipping are forecast.
Indian Ocean
No significant weather threats to shipping are forecast.
About the Author: Blake Cotcamp is currently enrolled at Purdue University where he is completing his senior year and majoring in Meteorology. An avid weather buff since an early age, with a passion for tropical storm forecasting. Blake prefers the “real weather” of the U.S. Midwest to that of the boring, predictable weather of his native Southern California. When not chasing storms or reveling in the latest bout of bad weather, he can be reached at bcotcamp@purdue.edu