Japanese weather officials say the rainy season appears to have begun in the southern Kyushu region.



The Japan Meteorological Agency made the announcement on Friday.



The Kyushu and Shikoku regions are experiencing intermittent rains due to moist air flowing toward a weather front around the East China Sea. Southern Kyushu is likely to see clouds and rain for about a week.



The start of the season in the region comes 14 days earlier than usual and 23 days earlier than last year.



This year, the rains have not yet arrived in the southwestern regions of Okinawa and Amami, where the season usually starts. It could be the first time that southern Kyushu has experienced the rainy season before the southwestern regions of Okinawa and Amami since 1951, when the agency started keeping records.



Meanwhile, unstable atmospheric conditions are expected in the country on Saturday due to a weather front and a passing low-pressure area.



Western and eastern Japan are expected to get very heavy rains. Weather officials are warning of possible lightning, strong winds and tornadoes.