A man holds un umbrella against strong wind and rain on Tuesday in Tokyo.Credit:AP
Tokyo is expected to get up to 31.5 mm of rain over the coming day,a fifth of its average monthly average rainfall in 24 hours. The storm has already forced changes to the surfing,archery and rowing events and organisers are planning contingencies for winds that could reach up to 118km/h.
It follows days of temperatures heading into the mid-30s and humidity above 80 per cent,both of which have been compounded by Tokyo’s dense urban landscape and limited shade at major events.
Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic said the conditions were brutal.
“It’s very hot and also very humid,so the hard courts absorb the heat,and it stays trapped in there,” he said on Saturday. “Not much wind,not much breeze.”
Typhoon Nepartak reached speeds of 85 km/h on Tuesday.Credit:ZoomEarth
Tokyo held its 1964 Olympics in October to avoid the summer heat and the threat of typhoons,but switched to July for the 2020 edition,the preferred timeslot of the International Olympic Committee and the US broadcasters – between the NBL and NFL seasons.
“With many days of mild and sunny weather,this period provides an ideal climate for athletes to perform their best,” the city said in its Olympic bid.