South Asia

Weather Underground Forecast for Saturday, May 10, 2008.

After the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, all eyes will be on Tropical Cyclone Rammasun on Saturday. This storm will move northward just west of the Philippines throughout the day. As the storm moves, it will gain strength, and by Saturday morning should reach category 2 strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensity with winds between 96 and 110 mph. While the storm will be very strong, it is not expected to hit any major land masses, and should remain a threat to only marine interests.

In addition to the tropical cyclone off the Philippines, another storm will smack into southern Japan Saturday, bringing heavy rain and high winds to the nation. Precipitation will be heaviest over Kyushu and southern Honshu, and Hokkaido will stay mostly dry.

On the Asian mainland, low pressure near Beijing will begin to pick up moisture on Saturday, and precipitation will begin in the region in the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms will pick up in the mountain west of the city, spreading south and east into the evening hours. Beijing should eventually see some rain in the overnight hours.

Southeastern Asia will also be wet Saturday, with tropical rains expected throughout the region.

High temperatures in Tokyo will be cool, rising into the upper 50s(F)/ mid-teens(C). Beijing will also be cool with temperatures rising into the upper 60s(F)/ low 20s(C).

In Australia, dry conditions are anticipated across the interior, while the southeast and southwestern coasts receive precipitation. The far northern tip of the Cape York Peninsula will also see tropical rainfall as moisture streams south from Indonesia.