Snow falls in November in Tokyo for first time in 54 years

The Japanese capital of Tokyo on Thursday was hit by its first November snow in 54 years, slowing rush hour trains as residents slogged to work wearing heavy coats and boots in a city far more accustomed to earthquakes than to snow.

Above-freezing temperatures kept the snow from sticking, but forecasters said there could be an accumulation of up to 2 centimeters (1 inch).

The last time it snowed in central Tokyo in November was in 1962.

The snow, which began as sleet around dawn but turned to snow soon after, was sparked by an unusual cold front spreading over the Tokyo area that sent temperatures down to near zero C (32 F).

Tourists visit the surrounding gardens of the Imperial Palace during snowfall in Tokyo, Japan, 24 Nov. 2016. (EPA Photo)

Tourists visit the Kaminarimon gate during the first November snowfall in 54 years in Tokyo, at Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo's Asakusa district, Japan, Nov. 24, 2016. (REUTERS Photo)

A shrine staff walks in the snow at Kanda Myojin shrine in Tokyo, Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 (AP Photo)

Men walking near ginkgo trees during the first November snowfall in 54 years in Tokyo, at a park in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 24, 2016. (REUTERS Photo)

A tourist is seen during the first November snowfall in 54 years in Tokyo, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 24, 2016. (REUTERS Photo)