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Heavy Snow Hits Tokyo for First Time in 13 Years

<p>The Tokyo area was hit by a rare heavy snowfall on Saturday, stalling trains, grounding flights, and blanketing roads and skyscrapers with snow.</p>
Image: Heavy snow falls in Tokyo
A police officer patrols on a bicycle during heavy snowfall in the surrounding gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, on Feb. 8, 2014. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued the first heavy snowfall warning for central Tokyo in 13 years. FRANCK ROBICHON / EPA

The Tokyo area was hit by a rare heavy snowfall on Saturday, stalling trains, grounding flights, and blanketing roads and skyscrapers with snow.By mid-afternoon, about 4 inches of snow had fallen.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first heavy snowfall warning for central Tokyo in 13 years on Saturday. It warned that snow and rain would continue through the night, but that skies would clear gradually Sunday.

Image:
A child and his mother build a snowman in Yokohama, Japan, on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014.Eugene Hoshiko / AP

Several universities in Tokyo delayed the start of entrance exams because of delays in metropolitan trains and subways, known for almost always being on time. Major carriers Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways suspended domestic flights from Tokyo's Haneda airport. Some bullet trains were delayed and parts of expressways were closed. Japanese media said dozens of injuries were being reported from people slipping and falling, or crashing their cars.

—The Associated Press