Wakkanai, Japan’s northernmost island, welcomed its first snowfall of the year on Monday (October 20), becoming the first place in Japan to observe snowfall this winter. This means that winter has officially arrived in Japan.
According to Japanese media reports, Japan was affected by a low pressure system and a cold front last weekend. Cold air moved south from the north, bringing a significant drop in temperature. Streaky clouds, typical of winter, were visible over the Sea of Japan, with some extending over Hokkaido, resulting in a mix of rain and snow.
According to meteorological data, temperatures in Wakkanai dropped to around 3 degrees Celsius on Monday morning, with a chance of dropping below -6 degrees Celsius at around 1500 meters overnight and into the morning, meeting snowfall conditions on the plains. Hokkaido meteorological authorities also observed the first snowfall on Mt. Teine, Mt. Washibetsu, and Mt. Yokozu, with accumulations forming at higher altitudes.
Meteorological units expect snowfall to continue until Tuesday (21st), mainly concentrated in inland Hokkaido.
In addition to Hokkaido, temperatures in other parts of Japan have also dropped significantly. The Japan Meteorological Agency pointed out that the high pressure near Siberia is strengthening, causing cold air to flow into Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. Tokyo is expected to have a maximum temperature of only about 16 degrees Celsius on Wednesday (22nd), equivalent to the level in mid-November, and the daytime will continue to feel noticeably cool.
【First snowfall in Wakkanai】Today’s first snowfall in Wakkanai
Today, the 20th (month), the first snow is falling in Wakkanai, Hokkaido. In normal years, it was the 1st day of the year. Last year, it was the 1st day of the year. The National Meteorological Observatory is currently testing the weather at the beginning of this season.
The sky above Hokkaido is cold and cold, and the temperature is low, so it is snowy and snowy.https://t.co/JDyKBVnGeV pic.twitter.com/gWIlet9UiM
— ウェザーニュース(@wni_jp) October 19, 2025
AloJapan.com