Tokyo and its surrounding areas are experiencing an unexpected bout of winter weather, as a developing low-pressure system has brought significant snowfall and drastic temperature drops on March 19, 2025. Users of the Weather News app have reported accumulating snow across regions including Gunma Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, the Chichibu area of Saitama, and the Tama area of Tokyo. By early morning, temperatures dropped sharply, prompting forecasts of potentially hazardous conditions.
At midnight, the temperature at Amedas in Tokyo stood at 6.0°C, but by 7:00 AM, it plummeted to a chilling 0.7°C. Central Tokyo recorded a similar drop, with temperatures hovering around 3.4°C. Meanwhile, snowfall reports have been confirmed in Chichibu, where temperatures hit 0.4°C. The moisture-laden snow is falling heavily, resembling sleet, and poses a risk of solid accumulation on roads and surfaces if temperatures continue to fall.
The situation escalated further with the arrival of snow-laden clouds moving in from the west, leading to the potential for snowfall in the 23 wards of Tokyo. Forecasts suggest that regardless of the intensity of the snowfall, existing weather conditions will result in hazardous driving surfaces, particularly on public roadways. Rain is expected to briefly transition to snow in central Tokyo, where a dusting on grass and surfaces is already a concern.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a cold air mass, influenced by the low-pressure system, has resulted in heightened winds and precipitation across a vast region from northern to western Japan. Remarkably, strong gusts reached a maximum speed of 24.5 meters per second, recorded at Hachijojima in the Izu Islands early in the morning. The agency has urged the public to be cautious of swift weather changes, especially on roadways. Affected areas are expecting strong winds to persist throughout the day, contributing to further precipitation in the form of rain or snow.
Reports indicate that leading up to 8:00 AM, marked snowfall amounts included 26 centimeters in Kusatsu Town, 18 centimeters in Karuizawa, and significant amounts also recorded in Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures. In the Kanto region, while the focus remains primarily on the mountainous regions, snowfall has begun to affect the plains, including the Tokyo metropolitan area.
The Meteorological Agency has stated, "The Meteorological Agency is warning of gales and blizzards, and is calling for caution regarding the impact of heavy snow on transportation." Given that the temperature dropped unexpectedly, conditions have become prime for snow accumulation in the plains. Present forecasts indicate that though snow accumulation is less likely in the core parts of the city, a dusting may be experienced, particularly around Shiba Park.
Additionally, as conditions fluctuate, areas not typically accustomed to winter weather are set to witness light snow and sleet, marking a noteworthy event for urban Tokyo. Residents are advised to prepare for potential accidents tied to the sudden weather shift, including slips and falls, and to remain alert during their commutes.
By the noon hour, the low pressure system is projected to gradually retreat, leading to a diminishing of rain and snow patterns across the Kanto region. However, temperatures remain a concern: in Edogawa Ward, for instance, real-time weather reports show temperatures at just 2.0°C with humidity reaching 97%. Winds gust from the northwest at 3.5 meters per second, further enhancing the chilling effect across the area.
In summary, Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures face a wintry onslaught today as meteorological conditions develop dramatically under the influence of a low-pressure system. Citizens are urged to comply with advisories from the Japan Meteorological Agency, which warns of further precipitation and abnormal weather patterns, along with maintaining utmost caution on the roads as they may become treacherous with snow and ice. Measures for safety, particularly when driving or navigating outdoors, are advised while the storm passes and conditions begin to stabilize in the evening hours.
