Heavy snow expected Jan. 30 in Tokyo metropolitan area

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has announced that heavy snowfall is anticipated in the Kanto-Koshin region overnight on Jan. 29 and into the morning of Jan. 30, due to low atmospheric pressure accompanying a frontal system west of Kyushu that is due to come close to the eastern Kanto region on the morning of Jan. 30.

Heavy overnight snowfall is expected to hit the Tokyo metropolitan area, where it may result in accumulated snow over a wide area.

Snow cover is expected to have reached up to the following levels by 6 a.m. on Jan. 30: 40 centimeters in the mountainous region of northern Kanto and the Koshin area; 15 cm in the region spanning Hakone up toward Tama and Chichibu; 10 cm along the northern Kanto plains; 5 to 10 cm along the southern Kanto plains; and 5 cm within the 23 wards of Tokyo.

The snowfall is expected to become lighter beginning on the morning of Jan. 30, with the snow changing to rain in some areas on the plains. In some inland regions, however, the snowfall will continue until Jan. 31, with snow accumulating.

The JMA is calling for caution with respect to traffic hazards resulting from snow and ice on roads.