Snow fell in Osaka on Friday morning, the first time the city has had snow in November since 1989, as a chill set in across the nation.

Much of Japan experienced the coldest temperatures so far this season, with the mercury falling to 0.9 degrees in Nagoya, 0.3 degrees in Okayama, 1.9 degrees in Kochi, 5.8 degrees in Fukuoka and 7 degrees in Tokyo at 6 a.m., about average for late December, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The agency said a cold air mass brought snow to Osaka, 23 days earlier than usual. Parts of Kyushu and Shikoku also experienced their first snowfall of the season. In Hokkaido, Sapporo had heavy snow with 70 cms falling overnight and Friday morning.

The agency said the cold spell is likely to remain until late Saturday.

© Japan Today