By NATSUKI KAWAHARA/ Staff Writer
February 20, 2025 at 14:23 JST
Commuters walk the streets of Tokyo’s Chuo Ward on the morning of Feb. 20, when the mercury hit minus 1 degree in the capital. (Yuichi Inoue)
Cities across the nation are experiencing the season’s harshest cold snap and heavy snow, with temperatures dropping to minus 1 degree in Tokyo and minus 2.5 degrees in Nagoya on the morning of Feb. 20.
Snow has been falling mainly on the Sea of Japan side, with accumulations of 483 centimeters in Aomori and 366 cm in Tsunan, Niigata Prefecture.
Snow has also been reported in low-lying areas, with 28 cm in Toyama and 26 cm in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture.
The weather has caused disruptions to transportation. East-bound trains from Nagoya Station on the Tokaido Shinkansen have been delayed by up to 20 minutes, according to Central Japan Railway Co.
The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts that the winter pressure pattern will persist, bringing another cold spell around Feb. 22, with heavy, localized snow expected in areas on the Sea of Japan side.
The JMA has issued warnings for avalanches and further traffic disruptions.
Weather officials attributed this season’s heavy snow to a lingering cold air mass.
JMA Director-General Ryoichi Nomura said on Feb. 19 that the agency will analyze the potential relationship between the intense snowfall and climate change.
(Shoko Rikimaru also contributed to this article.)
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