Feb 10 (NHK) - Heavy snow is forecast for wide areas of eastern Japan, including downtown Tokyo, with officials warning of possible traffic disruptions on Thursday evening.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says a low-pressure system is expanding as it moves eastward along the Pacific coast of central Japan. A cold air mass flowing in over the region has already brought snow to mountainous areas.
As of 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, there was 7 centimeters of snow in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, 6 centimeters in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, and 5 centimeters in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture.
Rain and sleet is turning to snow in Tokorozawa in Saitama, and Hachioji and Setagaya in Tokyo.
In the 24-hour period through Friday morning, a maximum of 30 centimeters of snow is forecast for Yamanashi Prefecture, and 25 centimeters for the northern Kanto region and Nagano Prefecture. A total of 20 centimeters is expected to fall in Shizuoka Prefecture and some parts of the southern Kanto region, including Hakone through Tama, and Chichibu.
Up to 8 centimeters of snow is forecast for the plains of southern Kanto and 5 centimeters for Tokyo's 23 wards.
The Kanto region does not usually have much snow, so even a small amount could disrupt public transport and cause accidents.
Weather officials are urging caution for heavy snow and icy roads, and are calling on people to stay updated with the latest information. They are also warning of blackouts caused by snow accumulating on power lines.
Source: ANNnewsCH
