Possibility of Warning-Level Snowfall in Tokyo’s 23 Wards; Heavy Snow Expected in Japan’s Kanto-Koshin Region (UPDATE 5)

The Yomiuri Shimbun

8:27 JST, February 5, 2024 (updated at 18:00 JST)

A developing low-pressure system with a cold front is moving eastward along the southern coast of Honshu on Monday, likely bringing heavy snowfall mainly to mountainous areas in the Kanto-Koshin region through Tuesday morning.

In central Tokyo, snow began falling at about 2 p.m. Monday. Many people were seen walking around the office buildings with umbrellas and warm clothes on. Later on Monday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy snow warning in Tokyo, except for eastern 23 wards, where a heavy snow advisory was issued.

The agency called on people to be on alert for possible disruptions to public transportation services due to snowfall and frozen road surfaces.

According to the agency, snowfall in the region is expected to peak from Monday evening to late at night. The amount of snowfall in the 24 hours up to noon Tuesday is expected to be 40 centimetersin the mountainous areas of the northern part of Kanto as well as Koshin, while 25 centimeters of snow is forecast in low-lying areas of the northern Kanto. The southern part of Kanto is expected to see 10 centimeters of snowfall in low-lying areas, and 8 centimeters is forecast in Tokyo’s 23 wards.

Public transportation services disrupted

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways canceled a total of 76 flights to and from Haneda Airport on Monday afternoon. East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) suspended all 14 Azusa and Kaiji express trains on the Chuo Line, which had been scheduled to depart from and arrive at stations in Tokyo and other areas after 5 p.m. on Monday.

East Nippon Expressway Co. banned vehicles with regular tires from traveling on its expressways in Tokyo, Kanagawa and other prefectures in the region from Monday morning. Expressway companies took precautionary measures in a wide area of the Kanto and Tokai regions to prevent vehicles from being stuck due to snow.

As of 1 p.m. Monday, the Tomei Expressway was closed between the Tokyo Interchange and the Shimizu Junction, while the Shin-Tomei Expressway was shut in sections between the Ebina-Minami Junction and the Shin-Hadano Interchange, and the Shin-Gotemba Interchange and the Shin-Shimizu Junction. The Chuo Expressway was closed between the Takaido Interchange and the Nakatsugawa Interchange. The Central Circular Route and part of the Shibuya Line on the Metropolitan Expressway were also closed.