Heavy snow hits Japan with warns of traffic disruption

TOKYO, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Heavy snowfall and strong winds hit Japan on Tuesday as the country braced for a severe winter storm amid a rare cold snap.

Heavy snow hit areas along the Sea of Japan as well as in some low-lying areas on the nation's Pacific side including Tokyo.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said temperatures are expected to drop significantly to levels seen only once in a decade, as wide a