[Updated at 8am on the 9th]
In the flatlands of southern Kanto, including Tokyo’s 23 wards, snow is falling and piling up in some places. Snow is expected to fall in the southern Kanto region by noon, and as this coincides with the rush hours for commuting to work and school, please be careful about the impact on traffic and the possibility of frozen roads. In addition to snow forecasts, we also compile information on railways and expressways.
Snow falls mainly along the mountains of Kanto-Koshin, including in 23 wards.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a low-pressure system is rapidly developing and moving northeast over the sea east of Japan, causing snow to fall mainly along the mountains in the Kanto-Koshin region, as well as in flat areas in the southern part of Tokyo, including the 23 wards of Tokyo, Yokohama, and Chiba. It’s snowing and sleeting.
〇Snowfall
In the three hours up to 7 a.m., 10 centimeters of snow fell in Nasu Kogen, Tochigi Prefecture, 4 centimeters in Saitama City, and 1 centimeter in central Tokyo and Yokohama.
〇Snowfall
As of 7 a.m., snowfall was 15 centimeters in the Nasu Highlands of Tochigi Prefecture, 4 centimeters in Saitama City, and 1 centimeter in central Tokyo and Yokohama, even on flat areas.
〇Temperature
The temperature in central Tokyo was 6.3 degrees Celsius at 11 o’clock last night, but it had dropped to 0.5 degrees Celsius by 6 a.m.
Chuo Line Ome Line Operation canceled in some sections
Due to the forecast of snowfall in the Kanto-Koshin region, JR East is canceling train service on some sections of the Chuo Main Line and Ome Line from the first train on the 8th until around 9am. In addition, some limited express trains have also been canceled.
〇 Operation canceled section
Chuo Main Line Otsuki Station – Enyama Station Nirasaki Station – Kobuchizawa Station
Ome Line Ome Station – Okutama Station
〇Utsunomiya Line
The JR Utsunomiya Line has suspended operations on the up and down lines between Utsunomiya Station and Kuroiso Station since 7:46 a.m. due to the weight of snow causing bamboos along the tracks to fall.
JR East will announce the latest information on its website from time to time, and urges people to pay attention to future weather information and the latest driving conditions.
Meanwhile, the JR Itsukaichi Line and the Nippori-Toneri Liner, which had been temporarily suspended, have resumed operation.
highway
During the heavy snowfall in early February, “preventive road closures” were implemented on the Metropolitan Expressway even before the snow fell, but as of 5 p.m. on March 7th, “preventive road closures” and large-scale traffic restrictions had not been announced. Is not …
The Metropolitan Expressway has said that future measures will be determined as appropriate based on weather information, and a person in charge said, “Once again, we are taking measures that we can do now, such as preparing antifreeze spraying vehicles according to weather information. We believe there is a possibility that roads may become frozen due to snowfall on the 8th as well, so we ask those using the service to check the latest weather and traffic information, and to be careful not to drive on normal tires.” I am calling.
Meanwhile, NEXCO Central Japan is also warning that snowfall is expected, so if you are using the expressway, please check the latest weather and traffic information, as well as be sure to wear winter tires and carry tire chains.
So far, there have been no road closures or other effects on the expressways due to the snow.
24 hour forecast snowfall amount
Snow is expected to fall in the northern and southern plains of the Kanto region, including Tokyo’s 23 wards, until noon on the 8th.
The amount of snow that fell in the 24 hours up to the morning of the 9th was heaviest in all places: 8 cm in the mountains of northern Kanto, 5 cm in the flatlands of northern Kanto and the flatlands of southern Kanto, including the 23 wards of Tokyo, and from Hakone to the Tama region. – 3 cm is expected to reach the Chichibu region.
Be careful of the impact on traffic and frozen roads
The Japan Meteorological Agency says that if temperatures in the northern Kanto region become lower than expected, there is a possibility of warning-level heavy snowfall.
This coincides with the time of commuting to work or school. Please pay close attention to the impact on traffic and icy roads, check the latest traffic information, and allow plenty of time to proceed.
Due to the wet snow, it is necessary to be careful about the impact on traffic and power outages due to snow accretion on overhead lines and power lines. The atmospheric conditions will be unstable in the afternoon, so be careful of lightning and gusty winds.
Niigata Prefecture: Heavy snow expected mainly along the mountains on the 9th
There is a risk of snow falling in Koshinetsu and Niigata prefectures after that, with 20 centimeters of snow expected to fall in many places in Koshinetsu in the 24 hours up to the morning of the 9th.
In Niigata Prefecture, heavy snow is expected to fall mainly along the mountains on the 9th, with the amount of snow expected to fall in the 24 hours up to the 10th to be 70 centimeters along the mountains of Kamie and Chuetsu.
The Japan Meteorological Agency urges people to be careful not only about avalanches but also snow accretion on power lines and trees along the mountains of Koshinetsu.
Atmospheric instability over 9 days
Forecast weather map
On the other hand, strong cold air will flow into the sky through the 9th, and atmospheric conditions are expected to become unstable in western Japan through the evening and into the 9th in eastern Japan. Be careful of lightning, tornadoes, strong wind gusts, sudden heavy rain, and hail.
If there are signs that a cumulonimbus cloud is approaching, such as when the surrounding area suddenly becomes dark, please ensure your safety by moving to a sturdy building.