As cold air maintains grip on Japan, snow may whiten Tokyo into Monday

As cold air maintains a firm grip on northern and eastern Japan, the stage will be set for snow into the new week. This includes Tokyo into Monday.

Temperatures are set to average 3-6 degrees Celsius (5-10 degrees Fahrenheit) below normal across Hokkaido and eastern Honshu this weekend and into the new week.

The core of the cold will be focused on Hokkaido, where disruptions to travel and high heating costs are mounting.

More than 70 train services were suspended by Hokkaido Railway Company on Friday morning due to frozen brakes and switching points, according to the Japan Times.

Residents and visitors attending the Sapporo Snow Festival will have to continue bundling up to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

Highs for the final days of the festival are expected to be held to around 4 below zero C (middle 20s F). Temperatures may bottom out at around 9 below zero C (15 F) at night.

A high near zero C (32 F) and a low around 7 below zero C (19 F) are more common this time of year.

Amid the cold, snow showers are expected to create slippery travel on a nearly daily basis in Sapporo and western parts of Hokkaido.

Snow and cold will also make a frequent appearance in the mountains of western Honshu. Totals through the upcoming week can range from 30-60 cm (1-2 feet) in the mountains and the west-facing slopes.

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This amount of snow is definitely a boon for the ski resorts, but travel will be slow and difficult on the mountain roads.

Snow will not just be confined to the mountains of Honshu. To the east, snow can fall in Tokyo and Sendai.

Following a round of snow early in the weekend, a second round of snow can impact these cities early in the new week.

"Snow in and around Tokyo will probably have a hard time accumulating on paved surfaces," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.

While roads staying mostly wet will assist with limiting travel hazards for motorists.

"There is still going to be many parts in and around Tokyo where snow will accumulate up to 2 cm (an inch) on grass and the tops of cars," according to Houk. This is especially true in areas father inland.

Airline passengers should still prepare for potential flight delays due to low-hanging clouds and deicing.

Colder conditions around Sendai may lead to more disruptions to travelers.

"There can be a covering to 2-5 cm (1-2 inches) of snow later on Monday and on Monday night," Houk stated. "The snow may be more likely to accumulate on roads here and create slower travel."

Download the free AccuWeather app to get more precise details as to how much snow will fall.