Tokyo rain streak ends after record 37 days

Tokyo's record 37-day streak of rainy days ended after a sunny weekend, Japan's weather agency said Monday.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the streak ran from August 27 to October 2, making it the city's longest stretch of rainy days since records began in 1886.

Friday's showers capped the run. Since the beginning of September, Tokyo has received 696.5 millimetres of rain, more than three times the normal level, according to the agency.

Tokyo's rainy season normally falls in June, but the capital has had regular heavy downpours through the summer, along with flooding across the wider metro region.

Climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions increases moisture in the atmosphere, making heavy rain more likely. Global weather this year is also being shaped by El Nino, which can shift winds, air pressure and cloud patterns and bring heavy rain to some areas and drought to others.