Winter comes early in Misawa as snow blankets area

While most of mainland Japan is enjoying gorgeous autumn leaves, Misawa Air Base and the entire Aomori Prefecture has its first layer of winter white. Yoshihito Morita of Stars and Stripes' Misawa Office, sent us this photo taken Nov. 10 of the first snow in his hometown of Tohokucho, located near the air base.

According to Morita, the first snow in the region was six days earlier than last year but three days later than the average. Morita has put on his winter tires on his vehicle and is prepared for a long severe winter, as the region is expected to stay in the cold season until the end of April. Stay safe and warm, Misawa!