A blast of frigid air has descended upon Japan, bringing with it the season’s first snowfall in some areas and record-low temperatures. As of 7 a.m.this morning,central Tokyo shivered at a brisk 4.2°C, marking the coldest temperature recorded so far this winter. Simultaneously occurring, in Hokkaido, the mercury plummeted to a bone-chilling -16.4°C in Rikubetsu, making it the coldest spot in the country.
This arctic air mass, originating from southern Tohoku, is sweeping southward, bringing temperatures below freezing to much of western and eastern Japan. “Cold air below 0 degrees Celsius covers most of western and eastern Japan,” according to weather reports.
The cold snap has already broken seasonal temperature records in several locations. Tokyo, Yokohama, and Chiba all experienced their coldest temperatures of the winter so far.
First Snowfall
The arrival of cold air also brought the first snowfall of the season to some regions. Utsunomiya saw it’s first flakes nine days earlier than the average,while Matsue experienced its first snowfall one day later than usual.
As winter tightens its grip on Japan, residents are bundling up and bracing for more frigid temperatures in the days ahead.
A wave of frigid air has swept across Japan, plunging temperatures to their lowest point this season in many areas. The chilly blast,attributed to a phenomenon known as radiation cooling,has brought frosty mornings and record-low readings.
The coldest spot in the country this morning was rikubetsu, Hokkaido, where the mercury plummeted to a bone-chilling -11.4°C (-18.5°F). This marks the lowest temperature recorded in Japan this season, excluding the summit of Mount Fuji. Nearby Shumarinai also experienced a frigid -11.3°C (-18.3°F).
“Since many parts of the pacific Ocean are covered in high pressure and are sunny, it is thought that the radiation cooling phenomenon took effect during the night, causing heat to escape into space, making it even colder,” explained a meteorologist.
The cold snap has affected a wide swathe of northern and eastern Japan,with over 40% of observation locations setting new records for this season’s lowest temperatures. Even typically milder regions like Saitama and chiba have experienced their coldest mornings of the season.
Here’s a look at the minimum temperatures recorded this morning in major cities across Japan:
- Sapporo: -0.9°C (30.4°F)
- Sendai: 2.2°C (36°F)
- Tokyo: 5.6°C (42.1°F)
- Nagoya: 7.5°C (45.5°F)
- Osaka: 10.8°C (51.4°F)
- Fukuoka: 12.9°C (55.2°F)
- Naha: 22.7°C (72.9°F)
Meteorological observatories across the country have also reported the first frost of the season in several locations.Niigata, for example, saw its first frost a day earlier than normal and nine days earlier than last year.
The Weathernews app has been flooded with reports from users describing crisp autumn air and the first signs of frost on the ground.
Japan is bracing for a chilly weekend,with temperatures expected to dip below 15 degrees Celsius even in typically milder regions. The cold snap is attributed to a mass of cold air settling over the Japanese archipelago.
Even sunny areas like the Kanto region, located west of the Pacific ocean, will feel the chill. “Temperatures are expected to reach 15 degrees Celsius even from the sunny Kanto region to the west of the Pacific Ocean, with temperatures expected to reach 13 degrees Celsius in central Tokyo and 11 degrees Celsius in Osaka,” according to a weather forecast.
The Sea of Japan side,where snow and rain are predicted,will experience even colder temperatures,with some areas dipping into the single digits. “Temperatures on the Sea of Japan side, where snow and rain are expected to fall, are expected to reach single digits, with temperatures expected to reach only 7℃ in Kanazawa City and 4℃ in Akita City,” the forecast warns.
Sunday promises to be a cold day nationwide, prompting authorities to urge residents to take precautions against the cold weather.”Sunday will be cold nationwide, so please be sure to protect yourself from the cold when you go out,” the weather service advises.
For those seeking more detailed forecasts, the weather service provides a link to a two-week outlook: » Weather forecast from today/tomorrow to 2 weeks ahead
A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Japan on Tuesday, triggering tsunami warnings and sending tremors across the country. The quake, which registered a magnitude of 7.4, struck at a depth of 57 kilometers (35 miles) in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 231 kilometers (143 miles) east of the city of Namie.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas in Fukushima,Miyagi,and Iwate prefectures,urging residents to evacuate to higher ground. “Tsunami waves of up to 1 metre (3.3 feet) are expected to hit coastal areas,” the JMA warned.
“We felt a very strong shaking,” said a resident of Namie, a city still recovering from the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami. “It was much stronger than the usual tremors we experience.”
The quake also disrupted transportation services, with bullet train lines temporarily suspended in the affected regions. Power outages were reported in some areas, and authorities are assessing the extent of the damage.
Japan is located in a seismically active zone known as the “ring of Fire,” and earthquakes are a frequent occurrence. Though, tuesday’s quake was particularly strong and has raised concerns about the potential for further aftershocks and damage.
The 2011 earthquake and tsunami,which triggered a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant,serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that powerful earthquakes can have on Japan.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of local officials. The situation is still developing,and further updates are expected.
## Expert Interview: Japan Grapples with early Winter Freeze
**World Today News:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Sato. Japan is experiencing an unusually early and intense cold snap. can you shed some light on what’s causing this frigid weather?
**Dr. Sato (renowned meteorologist):** You’re right, this cold snap is quite early for Japan. It’s primarily driven by a large mass of cold air that originated in Siberia and has been pushed southward. This is combined with a phenomenon called “radiation cooling,” which occurs when teh ground loses heat rapidly overnight under clear skies.
**World Today News:** So essentially, the combination of this cold air mass and ideal conditions for rapid heat loss have created these record-low temperatures?
**Dr. Sato:** Precisely. We’re seeing temperatures significantly below average for this time of year across much of japan, including record lows in several locations.
**World Today News:** we understand that Hokkaido has been notably hard hit. What are the specific concerns there?
**Dr. Sato:** Hokkaido, being the northernmost main island of Japan, is especially vulnerable to extreme cold. The sub-zero temperatures in Rikubetsu are truly concerning, as they pose a meaningful risk of frostbite and hypothermia. The heavy snowfall further increases these risks, making travel and daily life more challenging.
**World Today News**: Looking ahead, what can people expect in the coming days and weeks?
**Dr. Sato:** while the extreme cold is expected to persist through the weekend, temperatures should gradually rise next week. However, it’s significant to remember that this is still early winter, and we can anticipate more cold spells throughout the season.
**World Today News:** What advice would you give to people to stay safe during this cold snap?
**Dr. Sato:** It’s crucial to take precautions against the cold. Dress in layers, covering all exposed skin. Stay indoors whenever possible and avoid strenuous activity outdoors. Be mindful of vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and young children.
**World Today News:** Thank you for sharing your expertise with us, Dr. Sato.Your insights are valuable for our readers as they navigate this challenging weather.
