Faleolo International, Samoa

Weather Underground Forecast for Monday, May 21, 2012. A large high pressure system will govern the weather pattern in the eastern half of the continent on Monday. This high pressure system will begin the day just off the east coast of Hokkaido before moving slowly eastward into the Pacific Ocean. It will provide dry conditions for much of Japan, including Hokkaido and northern Honshu as well as much of the Sea of Japan.

To the south, a pair of storms will move east of the Ryukyu Islands and into the Pacific Ocean. Some of the moisture associated with these storms will move into southern Japan, providing rain and some thunderstorms for Kyushu and southern Honshu. This rain will just start to increase late in the evening and into Tuesday.

There are no tropical systems in the western Pacific Ocean, but one could form on Monday. This storm will remain well east of the Philippines and not a threat to any major landmasses.

Tokyo will rise into the mid-70s(F)/mid-20s(C), while Shanghai will see temperatures int he upper 60s(F)/lower 20s(C). Seoul will rise into the lower 80s(F)/upper 20s(C).

For Australia, a large high pressure system will stretch across the entire country, providing widespread dry conditions from the west coast to the east coast. One of the exceptions to these dry conditions may be in Queensland where thunderstorms could develop from the Gulf of Carpentaria to Brisbane.

Generally cool conditions are expected in the eastern half of the country, while mild to warm temperatures are anticipated along the west and north coasts.

Sydney will rise into the lower 60s(F)/upper 10s(C), while Melbourne will see temperatures in the lower 60s(F)/upper 10s(C). Brisbane will rise into the mid-70s(F)/mid-20s(C).