According to forecasts from the Japan Meteorological Agency, this New Year will usher in unusually high temperatures once in 10 years. The warm weather will continue for a week, with higher-than-normal temperatures possible across the country. In Kanto and the areas west of it, the maximum temperature will reach 15 degrees, and the high temperature in Tokyo may reach 18 degrees.

TOKYO, JAPAN (Merxwire) – At the end of the year, we prepare to welcome the New Year, and many people have made arrangements to travel abroad. Take this opportunity to have a vacation to reward yourself for one year of hard work. Japan is a popular country many people choose, with some looking forward to experiencing the cold winter and snowy atmosphere. But this New Year’s Eve, we may not see snow falling in Tokyo. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency forecast, this
Japanese New Year will usher in abnormally high temperatures once in 10 years. Such warm weather will last for about a week.

Japan ushered in the strongest cold wave since the beginning of winter from the 21st to the 23rd of this month, including warning-level heavy snowfall in some areas. The snowfall was heavy and fast, and the snow accumulation increased rapidly. The coastal climate is harsh and some roads are icy. Not long after the strongest cold wave ended, the Meteorological Agency issued a special report on abnormally high temperatures during the New Year period. It is expected that from December 28 to January 4, the climate will be warmer than winter previous years.

The Meteorological Agency issued high-temperature weather information from Kyushu to Hokkaido. Affected by high pressure on December 28 and 29, most areas experienced sunny weather. On December 30 and 31, affected by low pressure over the southern sea, there will be localized rainfall along the Pacific coast. Temperatures across Japan are likely to be higher than in previous years except for Okinawa. In Kanto and its western regions, the maximum temperature will reach 15°C. There is still a chance of snowfall in the coastal areas of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, but it will not last long.

Affected by the low pressure, the climate will be particularly warm in the first few days of 2024, and there is a chance of rainfall from Kinki to the Kanto region on the Pacific coast. Although the temperature rises during the day, there is a huge temperature difference between day and night, so you still need to keep warm. Weather forecasts predict that the highest temperature in Tokyo on January 3 may reach 18°C. As the weather gets warmer, the Japan Weather Association also reminds people living in snow-covered areas to be aware of snow falling from roofs during melting snow and the danger of avalanches in mountainous areas.

Affected by global warming, the El Niño phenomenon, and the Indian Ocean plate oscillation, this year’s westerly belt is farther north than in previous years, so the cold air is not easy to move southward. Average temperatures in northern Japan were mostly the same as or higher than last year. The first snow date in Sapporo, Hokkaido was also 10 days later than last year. The average temperatures in East Japan, West Japan, and Okinawa are all higher than in the past, creating a “warm winter” climate this year.

The Japanese celebrate New Year, with December 31st being their New Year’s Eve and January 1st being their first day of the New Year. These two days usually have the most shops closed. On the first day of the new year, they are used to visiting shrines to pray for blessings, and there are usually queues of people at the more famous shrines. Take advantage of the warm winter weather that only happens once in 10 years to go outside for a walk, pray for peace, and look forward to a wonderful year.