Travel

Winter Chill Hits Japan Early

HOKKAIDO, Oct 22 (News On Japan) - Cold air brought Japan its lowest temperatures of the season on October 22nd, with even northern plains in Hokkaido blanketed by snow.

A strong cold front, comparable to that of mid-November, swept across the country, causing the temperature to drop sharply. In Horokanai, northern Hokkaido, 5 centimeters of snow fell in the 24 hours through 2 p.m., turning the landscape completely white.

A reporter at Tokyo Station said the cold wind had many commuters wearing jackets. The temperature in central Tokyo fell to 13.9°C, marking the coldest morning so far this autumn.

A university student in their 20s said, "I leave home around 7:30 a.m., and it really feels chilly. I heard the temperature would drop to around 12 degrees, so I came prepared." A company employee added, "I feel like eating hot pot—maybe kimchi hot pot. I might try cooking it myself tonight and stop by the supermarket for soup stock on the way home."

Although Tokyo recorded summer-like temperatures for two consecutive days last weekend, the mercury has since plunged. The temperature is expected to fall further to around 11°C on October 23rd.

Will autumn deepen quickly from here? According to Yoshinori Oikawa, head of the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Extreme Weather Information Center, "The seasonal shift toward winter is expected to progress slowly, and temperatures in November are likely to remain above normal nationwide."

The agency released its three-month forecast for November through January, predicting higher-than-average temperatures in November, followed by seasonally typical cold conditions in December and January. Officials also cautioned that temporary cold air intrusions could bring heavy snow, particularly along the Sea of Japan coast.

Source: TBS

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