Heavy snow hits Tokyo area, halting trains, grounding flights

TOKYO – Heavy snow hit the Tokyo area on Monday, disrupting trains and grounding more than 100 flights, with transport officials cautioning drivers to avoid nonessential travel.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the snowfall was expected to peak Monday night, with up to 21 inches predicted in mountainous areas north of Tokyo.

The snowfall was much less in central Tokyo, where more than 0.4 inch was reported for the first time in two years, Kyodo News said.