video transcript

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION) Extreme weather conditions struck eastern Japan on Sunday (March 10) with a sandstorm blurring visibility in some areas, according to national broadcaster NHK. The unseasonable weather had temperatures in Tokyo reaching over 25.3 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest during March since records started to be kept in 1876, NHK said. A strong wind from the North blew up dust that covered Tokyo and neighbouring city Yokohama as temperatures dropped suddenly by more than 10 degrees Celsius (18 degrees Fahrenheit) according national broadcaster TBS. Transportation throughout Japan was delayed due to the strong winds and sandstorm. According to Nippon News Network, trains throughout Tokyo fell behind schedule, and high speed bullet trains heading to other parts of Japan were delayed by over 25 minutes. Flights originally scheduled to land at Narita International Airport were directed to Haneda Airport.