Temperature soars to 41.1 C in Kumagaya; highest ever in Japan

OMG are you kidding? 41.1C is really hot.

The 2020 Olympics needs to be rescheduled to October, right away! The deaths of who knows how many competitors and fans will be on the idiots who set the dates for events in July-August.

This is getting unbearable! How much higher will we go......only time will tell!

The 2020 Olympics needs to be rescheduled to October, right away! The deaths of who knows how many competitors and fans will be on the idiots who set the dates for events in July-August.

And it regularly goes that high in Qatar too, site of the next world cup. The competitors will be fine, they have everyone looking after them, it's the spectators that should be the focus and to suggest that folks are going to die is just pure fear mongering.

Turned on NHK this morning and they listed the temperature in Tokyo for 5:50am as 30. I've seen a lot of hot days during my time in J-Town, but I've never seen a "low" that high.

Kushiro 2020!

42c aint such big deal, just stay in shade and drink water... that said, even yesterday noon I witnessed young school kids being paraded to some pointless activity outside during noon by some brainless teacher... not quite sure if its idiotism or there is an intent to kill ....

Growing up in Cali, we have had days that were up to 49 degrees Celsius that were still much more bearable than the humidity going on here this summer.

And it regularly goes that high in Qatar too, site of the next world cup

Yes, that’s why the Qatar World Cup will almost certainly be played in Winter if it goes ahead at all.

None of the weather forecasts take into account the heat given off by the buildings and concrete. It's been more than 42 here twice, and the news only says 38 or so. It's hotter than 41. Stay safe, people, and no, Alex -- when the air is 41 degrees sitting in the shade doesn't help, especially with the humidity.

The 2020 Olympics needs to be rescheduled to October, right away! The deaths of who knows how many competitors and fans will be on the idiots who set the dates for events in July-August.

Yes, the organisers are going to have blood on their hands for any heatstroke-related deaths since the decision to host the Olympics in the middle of summer was entirely up to them.

Isn't there a high school baseball tournament going on right now in Japan

Yeah, the temperature is high, but the humidity is not as high as it has been, so people should be ok.

“when nuclear disaster,shut the windows,stop the air conditioner,and stay indoor.”

Japan’s nuclear regulation agency says so.

They do not consider even deadly summer heat of Japan.

Think that's HOT do ya' ? It's 43*C right now, and it's only 11:00a.m.

Just another day here in Qatar / Doha. Put Doha on your iPhone's Weather App.

Watch the temperature for a day.

As someone who was born and raised in a tropical country that regularly experiences 30 C and 100% humidity all-year round, my tips are: stick to cold drinks, dress lightly (avoid layering clothes and stick to cotton), use an umbrella when walking under the sun, use hair products as minimally as you can, eat spicy foods (no kidding, it really works) and most importantly, don't be afraid to use AC or electric fans (no, too much air will not kill)

Read this earlier this today:

“AccuWeather estimates the death toll from the Japan heat wave is likely already in the hundreds despite the official toll of somewhat more than two dozen, and we predict the number will climb into the thousands before the heat wave ends,” AccuWeather President and Founder Dr. Joel N. Myers said. “The actual total human toll may not ever be known as heat-related fatality reports are historically underdone since not all deaths are correctly attributed to heat and some result from accelerating serious health issues and the fatalities show up weeks later. The elderly and those with pre-existent conditions, such as asthma and heart failure, are likely to face declining health due to exacerbation of their conditions due to weather. Heat exhaustion and stroke, dehydration, migraines, loss of sleep and mood alteration can all occur due to dangerous heat. Historical data shows that more people are likely to be involved in vehicle crashes due to heat-related impacts, such as decreased ability to concentrate, the poor quality of sleep they get and impaired mood, etc.”

Think that's HOT do ya' ?

Yes, I do.

pFffff and its not even August yet.

Perhaps we can all take a collective break for a month and stay home under the airco?

Crazy hot today in Japan, the air was hot

Yeah, the temperature is high, but the humidity is not as high as it has been, so people should be ok

Agree with the first half of this, seems a little less sticky today. Not so sure about the second part though!

I'm not seeing any rain or cooler temps on the horizon either. Lot's of withered cabbages around here.

It is dangerously hot in Japan right now because these high temperatures also include over 75% humidity. That type of heat can actually cause serious medical issues.

Brutal Aussie summer type weather with extra humidity. Particularly hard for a country not use to such extremes.

Temperature soars to 41.1 C in Kumagaya; highest ever in Japan

No it isn't!

It was 43°C in my area last year!

It was 45°C 8 years ago, and 46°C at its peak in 2000!

Seriously JT, vet your damn authors!

Unless you're talking about official figures only. Which for the life of me, is ridiculous when you consider the official unofficial ones!

I lived in Miami Beach for a while, it's definitely more unbearable in Tokyo even though it's just as hot as Miami. Maybe it's the ocean breeze or the laid back lifestyle, but I seriously can't stand the heat in Japan. Also everything here is made out of asphalt and chrome so it seems like the air is just recycled over and over.

@Belrick, the official figures are based on collection protocols like being more than 150 cm off the ground and so on. Of course lower than that and closer to the concrete, higher readings will register.

42c aint such big deal, just stay in shade and drink water...

Yes it is, anywhere. It is 5c higher than the body temperature, making it very difficult to regulate heat.

But it is particularly so in a Japanese summer, where the moist air further reduces the body's ability to lose heat.

Don't forget that it is 42c in the shade, not the sun.

Desert climate is around 55 Celsius the highest and 42 Celsius the lowest in daytime. Tropical and Torrid climate the highest is around 35Celsius the highest and 27 Celsius the lowest in daytime/nighttime. Japan summertime in daytime/nighttime is kind of special climate in the world still 30-35 Celsius the whole time. Yesterday here in Kyushu the heavy rain decreased the heat from 35 C. to 25 C. Heavy but short rain helps a lot the intense heat. Uff!

Isn't there a high school baseball tournament going on right now in Japan

The tournament is in August but they play to qualify.

Count your blessings.

It's 88 degrees Celsius indoors, inside the hotpot in my room.

Think of how hot the temperature water has to put up with just to give us tea.

I’m curious to know how much of that temperature in the photo can be attributed to the ‘heat island’ effect of the city. I live just outside the city and our temps topped at 38’, but it was not humid, thankfully. The nights are the hardest part. It was 30’ at 2am this morning and I’m sure it will be the same tonight. It’s nearky too hot to drink beer, nearly!

Some like it hot. Count me as one of the some.

What should I say...? I'm accustomed to hearing temperature soaring 39, 40, 41 degrees celsius, so this no longer makes me surprised. Unfortunately, unusual weather is becoming usual in my mind.

OMG, what does Abe do to Japan and Japanese people ? 40 C is way above human temperature and unacceptable to any animals except chickens. Abe govt must declare emergency immediately. If not, UN must intervene.

Time for the first night time Olympic marathon. Not that it makes much more sense than holding the circus at this time of year anyway. Even as recently as Seoul 1988 was it known that holding an Olympics in Asia in August is insane. Cash is obviously far more important than participation despite what the IOC would have you otherwise believe.

@papigiulio - Perhaps we can all take a collective break for a month and stay home under the aircon?

Bwahahahaha! I'm a private high English teacher and will be burning the aircon until September!

Disillusioned, which school are you employed as a high English teacher ?

It was 48 Celcius here in Montreal Quebec Canada 3 weeks ago. 41 seems mundane lol

“when nuclear disaster,shut the windows,stop the air conditioner,and stay indoor.”

Japan’s nuclear regulation agency says so.

They do not consider even deadly summer heat of Japan.

There's a pretty good reason for that... Japan's nuclear regulation agency is more concerned with preventing you from getting radiation poisoning than being comfortable.

Clearly there's a few people who don't understand how radiation works. Think really hard if the air outside is contaminated, do you really want something blowing it into your home? But if you'd really rather be cool while you breath in radioactive particles, go for it.

Welcome to planet earth, a place that gets hot and cold.

The tournament is in August but they play to qualify.

Actually the prefectural qualifying level games are also a part of the tournament as well. Koshien is just the "finals"

Come on over to Doha (Qatar); we'll show you what "HOT" is.

Welcome to planet earth, a place that gets hot and cold.

Yeah, and welcome to Japan, the place where common sense is uncommon, and folks who run things sit down to keep their brains warm!

Yes its very very hot but to say "The mercury hit 41.1 C in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, at 2:16 p.m., eclipsing the previous record of 41.0 C " is very dramatic for .1

Yes its very very hot but to say "The mercury hit 41.1 C in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, near Tokyo, at 2:16 p.m., eclipsing the previous record of 41.0 C " is very dramatic for .1

You would prefer a five degree change? Well, just want a few more years. Climate change will accommodate you unless the USA elects a new President in 2020.

Ah, Kumagaya: lived there in the late 90s. A friend described it thusly, "a commercial-industrial blob of no particular aesthetic appeal." He forgot to say it was hot, other than that, spot on.

あついぞ、熊谷

I'm surprised to see so many people dressed in black walking in the sun!

I STILL see guys out with hoodies, knit caps and non work suit jackets. Give me a break.

The temperature at ground level is actually 3-4 degrease higher.....