Chilly weather predicted for northern and eastern Japan

Japanese weather officials say that in the first half of the week, temperatures are expected to be lower than usual for this time of the year in northern and eastern Japan due to a cold air mass. Cloudy or rainy weather is expected to continue.

Daytime highs in central Tokyo are expected to fall by about eight degrees to around 16 degrees Celsius in the middle of the week.

Officials are warning against icy roads in the northern prefecture of Hokkaido. Snow is expected from Sunday night until Tuesday, especially in mountainous areas. Snow may accumulate on flatlands in Hokkaido along the northern coast of the Sea of Japan and next to the Sea of Okhotsk.

Warm, damp air is flowing toward a stationary front to the south of Japan’s main island of Honshu. This is expected to cause unstable atmospheric conditions over the Izu Islands, including Hachijojima Island, and the Nansei Islands until Tuesday. Localized downpours with thunder are possible.

The Meteorological Agency is urging caution for mudslides, flooding in low-lying areas and swollen rivers.