TOKYO, Feb 10 (NNN-NHK) – A heavy snow warning was issued for central Tokyo today, by the weather agency here, with the inclement weather disrupting transportation services.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the alert for Tokyo’s 23 wards, warning that, later in the day the snow could turn to sleet and then rain, making evening rush hour driving conditions potentially hazardous, if the roads become icy.
As a result of the snow, Japanese Airlines cancelled a total of 57 flights, to and from Haneda Airport in Tokyo, scheduled for today, while All Nippon Airways also cancelled a number of its domestic flights.
East Japan Railway, meanwhile, said, it will suspend all operations of the Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train line, as of this evening.
Other railway services in eastern Japan may also see services delayed or suspended, reports said.
The weather agency said, a cold air front and low atmospheric pressure combined, caused the snowfall from this morning in the Kanto-Koshin region, in eastern and central Japan, with Tokyo’s 23 wards also affected.
The snow warning could be expanded to a wider part of the eastern side of the country, if the unstable pressure system continues for longer than expected, or temperatures on the ground fall further, causing the snow to gather.
Through 6.00 a.m. local time tomorrow, central Tokyo could see five centimetres of snow, whereas the surrounding, more mountainous areas, could see as much as 40 cm, weather officials said.– NNN-NHK
