Heavy snow is expected across the Kanto region as well as the Koshin area, with warnings issued for significant impacts to transportation and daily life. According to reports, on March 3, 2025, the region experienced its first snowfall of the season, with Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, recording one centimeter of snow. This initial flurry set the stage for what is anticipated to worsen beginning on March 4 as a low-pressure system makes its way toward Honshu's southern coast.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has forecasted continued snowfall beginning again on the evening of March 4, which may persist through the morning of March 5. From the evening of March 4 to the evening of March 5, mountainous areas of Kanto are predicted to receive up to 30 centimeters of snow. Urban areas, including Tokyo, could also see snow accumulation, with forecasts indicating up to 15 centimeters of snow in the northern parts and as much as 10 centimeters in southern regions.
Transportation officials are already alerting citizens about potential disruptions due to icy road conditions from the night of March 4 to the morning of March 5. There’s also concern for slippery accidents resulting from frozen surfaces.
Specifically, the plains of Kanto are expected to experience declining weather conditions starting from the afternoon of March 4. Snow and rain are anticipated to begin as early as 1:00 PM, followed by wet snow prevailing across Tokyo’s 23 wards from 5:00 PM onward. The peak snowfall is expected to occur around midnight on March 4, transitioning to rain due to warm air flowing in with the approaching low-pressure system.
Reports suggest the situation may resemble events from February 2014 when over 40 centimeters of snow led to paralyzing disruptions to transportation in Tokyo. That incident highlighted the city's lack of preparedness for snow, which is considered rare. Similar concerns have emerged this time around, with multiple transit agencies gearing up for potential delays and service interruptions.
Meanwhile, the Kanto mountainous regions and inland areas may see snowfall ranging from 20 to 30 centimeters by the morning of March 5. The snow is particularly wet and heavy, raising fears of downed trees and power outages similar to the January 2023 event which saw about 10,000 households lose electricity due to heavy wet snow.
Local municipalities and residents are taking precautionary measures, including checking weather updates and preparing for the possibility of snow accumulation on roofs and trees, which could lead to dangerous conditions. The Japan Meteorological Agency has evaluated the risk of heavy snow warnings as moderate and continues to urge the public to remain vigilant.
Driving conditions may deteriorate, and residents are advised to equip vehicles with winter tires and snow chains. The expected timeline for weather changes alerts residents to prepare for potential hazardous travel conditions, particularly between the evening of March 4 and the early morning hours of March 5, when visibility will be low and road surfaces slick.
Forecast models indicate the snow should taper off by the morning of March 5, with urban areas' accumulated snow expected to largely melt, returning life to some semblance of normalcy. The anticipated snow's effect on infrastructure will remain, particularly within mountainous areas, as accumulations may delay public services such as transportation recovery and power grid restoration.
Despite previous instances of heavy snow resulting from similar weather patterns, precautionary actions can mitigate the impact of these weather events. Residents are encouraged to prepare for the snowy conditions, familiarize themselves with emergency plans, and remain alert as the weather evolves. Rainfall is forecasted to limit the impact of snowfall across flatter regions, nevertheless, caution on roads remains necessary.
Weather forecasts suggest no new precipitation will occur later this week, allowing Kanto Koshin to stabilize after this current snowfall event. The temperatures are expected to rise slightly after March 5, alleviating some concerns about icy conditions on roadways as the storm progresses away from the area. Still, continued monitoring of weather advisories remains prudent to adapt to any changes.
To summarize, the Tokyo metropolitan area expects transient snowfall transitioning to rain, significantly influenced by moisture-laden air from the low-pressure system. With 2025’s current predictions offering enough snowfall to remind residents of past weather disruptions, communities across Kanto Koshin are bracing themselves for another potential March snowfall event.