TOKYO (Japan News/ANN): The first snowfall of the season was observed in central Tokyo and Yokohama on Friday when a strong winter pressure pattern brought heavy snowfall mainly to areas along the Sea of Japan on the day.
Tokyo’s first snowfall arrived one day earlier compared to an average year, and 14 days later than last season.
Snowfall is expected to continue in various areas of the country on Saturday. The Japan Meteorological Agency is urging caution to avoid traffic accidents caused by icy roads.
For the record, the snowfall was a day earlier than the average but 14 days later than last season, according to the agency.
The agency also had announced that heavy snow was expected in mountainous areas of the Kanto-Koshin region – Tokyo and neighbouring prefectures – from the afternoon of Jan 2 to Jan 3, according to local media reports.
It said a strong winter-type pressure pattern was developing near Japan, with intense cold air below minus 36 deg C flowing into the Kanto-Koshin region at an altitude of about 5,500m.
Some non-mountainous areas in the southern Kanto region, including Tokyo, could see snow accumulation.
Forecast snowfall amounts for the 24-hour period starting from 6pm on Jan 1 were: up to 10cm in the mountainous areas of northern Kanto region; 4cm in northern Kanto’s non-mountainous areas; 5cm in areas covering Hakone, Tama, and Chichibu; and 1cm in the non-mountainous area of southern Kanto region.
