Six all-time cold records broken in one day as death toll from record snow climbs to 46, Japan
At least six locations in Japan recorded record-breaking cold on the morning of February 9, 2026, as temperatures fell below -3°C (26.6°F) for the first time since 1984. The death toll from the record-breaking snowfall since January 20 has climbed to 46 as of February 10.
Record-breaking cold has struck parts of Japan following deadly heavy snowfall since late January.
At least six all-time cold records were set on the morning of February 9, as temperatures in Tokyo fell below -3°C (26.6°F) in February for the first time in 42 years, reported Sayaka Mori, broadcast meteorologist at NHK.
“Narita and Haneda Airports both logged their coldest mornings on record, with sub-zero temperatures covering over 90% of Japan,” Mori said.
The temperature at Haneda Airport dropped to -3.8°C (25°F), while Narita Airport recorded -9.7°C (15°F) on the morning of February 9.
Oume recorded the coldest February morning on record, with temperatures dropping to -10.3°C (13°F). Kanuma (-11.7°C/11°F), Nakasugawa (-10.7°C/13°F), and Yao (-4.8°C/23°F) all saw their coldest February morning on record on February 9.
This comes as the death toll from the record-breaking snowfall rose to 46 and injured at least 558 people, of whom 193 suffered serious injuries, according to the Japanese fire and rescue department (FDMA).
The snowfall has destroyed at least one building and partially destroyed two, while at least 58 buildings were damaged.
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Feature image credit: Walker Japan 4k
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
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