Japan Nuclear Site Winds Direct Leaked Radiation Off Shore
State College, Pa. -- 16 March 2011 -- AccuWeather reports winds at the ill-fated Fukushima nuclear power plant will
remain essentially off shore through at least Friday, thereby steering any leaked radioactive matter out to sea and away
from populated areas.
Winds at the eastward-facing coastal site will blow from the northwest
at 15 to 30 mph through Thursday, local time, then from the west at 10
to 20 mph on Friday.
Unusual cold and snow flurries will linger through Thursday, putting
extra hardship on survivors and rescue crews.
West to southwest winds will likely hold sway on Saturday, then
southeasterly, or on shore, winds will be possible on Sunday.
Thursday flurries will be followed by a substantial warming trend
through Sunday.
Reports say that the Fukushima site has leaked significant radioactive
matter into the lower atmosphere with detectable rising in radiation
levels southward to greater Tokyo.
Low-level winds are key to tracking any major release of radioactive matter.
By Jim Andrews, Senior Meteorologist for AccuWeather.com
ENDS