Tokyo weather: Snow storm SMASHES Tokyo for first time in 4 years
SNOW blanketed Tokyo today, forcing Japanese authorities to issue the first heavy snow warning in the city for four years.
Tokyo weather: Snow warnings were issued in Tokyo for first time in 4 years
The snowstorm caused chaos for Tokyo commuters, who were met with delayed train and bus services, as well as hundreds of cancelled flights.
Snow first began falling on Monday morning, with more than 10cm (4 inches) predicted for central Tokyo by early Tuesday, according to latest forecasts.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned that a looming low pressure system and cold front just off the coast of Japan's main island, Honshu, are expected to bring freezing temperatures and more snow overnight.
Maps released by the JMA show which areas are most at risk from the snowfall.
Warnings currently stretch from Oshima Chiho on Japan’s west coast, all the way down to Hokubu.
Train services were curtailed and some highways were closed today (January 22), as icy roads were causing traffic accidents. Some 250 flights from Tokyo's Haneda airport were cancelled.
One woman told national broadcaster NHK: "It's really a pity the flight was cancelled earlier in the day, as I've travelled here using paid holidays,"
Another said: ”I never thought I'd see snow in Tokyo.”
Tokyo weather: Snow caused huge delays on Tokyo trains today
Tokyo snow: Weather map shows which areas have snow warnings in place
Snowfall in Tokyo is not a particularly freak occurrence, though it is unusual for the snow to settle rather than quickly melt.
We call on all citizens to keep informed about the latest conditions and beware of transport delays
Pictures coming out of the capital show crowds of people crammed into Shibuya Station as they make their way home, while others show thick snow in the grounds of the Imperial Palace.
NHK offered detailed recommendations for coping with the weather, including wearing boots with heavy treads, heading home early and not walking with hands in coat pockets in case of slips and falls.
It was reported that universities have postponed entrance exams that were due to be held on Tuesday morning.
Tokyo snow: Snow usually fails to settle in Tokyo
Meanwhile, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings called for households and corporations to save power as electricity demand rises when the temperature falls.
A disaster management centre in the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s office was collating information on the situation.
"We will respond to this based on various scenarios," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.
"We call on all citizens to keep informed about the latest conditions and beware of transport delays."