Snow is expected to accumulate in central Tokyo as heavy snowfall is forecast for many parts of the country through Feb. 9, due to unseasonably strong cold air flowing over the Japanese archipelago.
Snow will continue to fall primarily on the Sea of Japan side from northern to western Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
In Tokyo, heavy snow is expected from the afternoon of Feb. 7 through Feb. 8, mainly in the Tama area, with some snow accumulation expected even in the 23 wards.
Snowfall of 5 cm is forecast in the 23 wards during the 24 hours from 6 p.m. on Feb. 7. In the Tama area, snowfall in the same period will range from 5 cm to 10 cm.
East Japan Railway Co. canceled the operation of 21 trains, including the Azusa and Kaiji limited express services on the Chuo Line, on Feb. 7.
On Feb. 8, the day of the Lower House election, an even stronger cold front is forecast to arrive, bringing peak snowfall across a wide area. The agency is urging caution against traffic disruptions and falling snow from roofs.
Winds will also strengthen nationwide on Feb. 8 as voters go to the polls. The agency is warning that heavy snowfall is highly likely in Kyoto, Hyogo, Tottori, Shimane and Okayama prefectures.
Heavy snow is also possible in areas that usually see little snow, such as the Pacific side of the Kanto and Kinki regions, as well as the Shikoku and Kyushu regions.
The agency estimates snowfall during the 24 hours from 6 p.m. on Feb. 7 as follows: 50 cm in the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions, 30 cm in the Kanto-Koshin region, 80 cm in the Hokuriku region, 40 cm in the Tokai region, 70 cm in the Kinki and Chugoku regions, 25 cm in the Shikoku region and 40 cm in the northern Kyushu region.
AloJapan.com