Tokyo residents were surprised by an unexpected event on Thursday morning – other than being extreme chilly, it snowed in the city at this time of the year after 54 years!
Generally, snowfall occurs in Japan in the months of January and February but snow rarely accumulates. However, this time Tokyo witnessed November snow for the first time since 1962.
Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warning about icy roads, accumulated snow on electric wires and trees and collapse of plastic greenhouses. It has also urged people to be aware of skidding roads and be careful of traffic accidents and other problems related to cold weather.
Thursday's snowfall, which is 40 days earlier than last year, sent the temperature down to nearly to zero degrees Celsius. The average temperatures at this time of year are highs of 14 C (57 F) and rose as far as 20 C (68 F) as recently as Sunday, reported Reuters.
It is also reported that if the snow accumulates on the ground then it will be the first time in history that such a phenomenon has taken place.
Residents were shocked as they were not expecting snowfall at this time of the year, reported the news agency. "I was shocked...It's too early," said Masaru Machida, a resident, who was coming home after nightshift.
