Heavy snow is forecast on Friday for Japan's Kanto-Koshin region around the capital and the northeastern region of Tohoku. Snow could accumulate in low-lying areas which usually do not have much snow, including central Tokyo.

The country's Meteorological Agency says a cold air mass will flow into the regions from Friday through Saturday. And a developing low-pressure system will move east along the Pacific coast of the archipelago.

The condition is expected to bring snow to large areas of Kanto-Koshin from Friday morning through the early hours of Saturday, and the Pacific side of Tohoku from before noon on Friday through Saturday.

Weather officials say snow could accumulate even on the plains, including central Tokyo. They say the snowfall could reach a hazardous level and they may issue heavy snow warnings.

During the 24-hour period through Friday evening, snowfall of up to 20 centimeters is forecast for northern Kanto, Koshin and the Pacific side of Tohoku, 15 centimeters in some parts of Kanto, including Hakone, Tama and Chichibu, 8 centimeters in low-lying areas of southern Kanto, and 3 centimeters in central Tokyo.

During the 24-hour period through Saturday evening, snowfall of 20 to 40 centimeters is forecast for northern Kanto and the Pacific side of Tohoku, 10 to 20 centimeters in Koshin, 5 to 10 centimeters in some parts of Kanto, including Hakone, Tama and Chichibu, and 1 to 5 centimeters in low-lying areas of Tokyo and southern Kanto.

Officials are asking people to prepare for possible traffic disruptions caused by heavy snow, icy roads and potential snow-related blackouts.