Yichun (Heilungkiang), Heilongjiang

Weather Underground Forecast for Monday, February 06, 2012.

A wide area of precipitation will develop across China on Monday. A ridge of high pressure builds in from the north, while a trough of low pressure develops in the southwest. This will push cool air in from the north and warm air in from the south, creating a strong frontal boundary that will stretch from Guiyang to Hangzhou and Shanghai. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms to pop up along this frontal boundary, as ample moisture feeds energy into this system from the South China Sea. Hong Kong will be overcast with a chance of rain later in the day, with highs in the lower 70s(F)/ lower 20s(C). Shanghai will be cloudy with scattered rain showers throughout the day, with highs ranging in the mid-50s(F)/ lower teens(C). To the north, cool and dry conditions will persist across northern China. Expect Beijing to remain sunny with highs in the upper 20s(F)/ near -1(C).

The leading edge of this low pressure trough and associated frontal boundary will extend over the East China Sea and into western Japan. Expect widespread rain and snow showers to develop in these areas. Tokyo will see increasingly cloudy skies with highs in the mid-50s(F)/ lower teens(C), and a chance of rain showers in the evening.

In Australia, Tropical Cyclone Jasmine has developed in the Coral Sea, just northeast of Queensland. This system is expected to maintain its strength with winds between 39 and 73 mph (33 and 64 knots) as it moves eastward toward New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Expect strong winds, heavy rains, and dangerous surf in these areas. Meanwhile, the back side of this system kicks up scattered showers and thunderstorms over far north Queensland and the Northern Territory. Elsewhere, high pressure builds over the country and brings dry and sunny weather. Sydney will see mostly sunny skies with highs near 80(F)/ 27(C).