Wild weather: Japan hits the 40 C and a tornado hits Mongolia

CTV Edmonton's Josh Classen recaps a week of wild weather: record-setting heat in Japan, flooding in China, and a twister in Mongolia.

Here’s a look at some of the weather stories making headlines around the world this past week.

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Extreme heat in Japan

Extreme heat continues in Japan.

The city of Isesaki hit 41.8 C this week. That’s the new all-time hottest temperature on record for Japan. The previous record was 41.2 C, which was set last week in Tamba City. Prior to that, 41.1 C had been hit a couple times.

The early-August heat comes on the heels of a record-setting July for Japan. The month was 2.9 degrees hotter than the long-term average (records date back to the late 1800s). July 2025 became the third consecutive July to set the record for “hottest July.”

The month was also abnormally dry. Many parts of the country received less than 10 percent of average rainfall.

Heavy rain in China

Days of heavy rain in southern China triggered mudslides and flash floods.

Emergency teams were out rescuing people trapped by the rising waters that reached the tops of vehicles in many areas.

States of emergency were issued for a number of regions.

Shenzhen received around 150 mm of rain. Some counties recorded 300-400 mm. That’s 30 to 40 centimetres of rain in just a few days.

Tornado in Mongolia

Further north in Mongolia, a tornado struck near a Unesco-protected “geopark” in Inner Mongolia.

Locals captured stunning video of the twister that damaged a few yurts used by tourists in the area.

No injuries or casualties were reported.