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Photos: Heaviest snowstorm in years cuts power, delays travel in Tokyo

By Jennifer Fabiano, AccuWeather staff writer
January 23, 2018, 12:24:12 PM EST

A snowstorm hit Tokyo on Monday, dropping up to 23 cm (9 inches) of snow on downtown Tokyo.

Monday’s snowstorm brought the most snow that the capital city has seen since 2014, according to the Japan Times.

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People walk in the snow in Tokyo, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. Metropolitan areas braced for snowfall Monday with the Japan Meteorological Agency's warning of traffic system disruptions. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)


Total snow accumulation was between 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 inches), according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Adam Douty.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a heavy snow warning for all of Tokyo’s 23 wards, according to the Japan Times.

The unusual amount of snow prompted many travel delays, including some road closures, according to Reuters. At Tokyo International Airport, about 250 departing flights were canceled, with at least 21 flights canceled for Tuesday. At Narita International Airport, two runways were closed due to snow.

Tokyo Metro warned riders about possible delays and cancellations, and also urged passengers to check the status of their train on their website.

According to NHK News, Tokyo Electric Power Company reported that snow and wind affected electric wires and caused 59,000 household electricity blackouts.

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There are no snow concerns for Tuesday, but there will be strong wind gusts, according to Douty.

Wind in the area will reach gusts of 65 to 72 km/h (40 to 45 mph).

Along with wind, the capital area will have high temperatures of 6 to 7 C (44-45 F) on Tuesday.

“It will get well above freezing, so the snow will start to melt,” Douty said.

There are no snowstorms expected in this area in the near future, according to Douty.

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TV crew stand by for a report in the snow in front of Shimbashi railway station in Tokyo, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. Metropolitan areas braced for rare snowfall Monday with the Japan Meteorological Agency's warning of traffic system disruptions. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

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People walk on a crossing in the snow near Shimbashi railway station in Tokyo, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. Metropolitan areas braced for snowfall Monday with the Japan Meteorological Agency's warning of traffic system disruptions. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

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People walk on a crossing in Tokyo, Monday, Jan. 22, 2018. Metropolitan areas braced for snowfall Monday with the Japan Meteorological Agency's warning of traffic system disruptions. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)


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