Severe Snowfall Predicted for Northern and Eastern Japan
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Tokyo, Jan 3 (NationPress) Severe snowfall is anticipated to affect northern and eastern Japan through Saturday, particularly in mountainous regions along the Sea of Japan coast, due to a winter pressure system and a cold air mass, the nation's weather agency reported on Friday.
As of 5 am local time on Friday, 412 centimeters of snow had accumulated in Sukayu in the Hakkoda mountain range in Aomori Prefecture, more than twice the average amount, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The forecasted 24-hour snowfall until Saturday morning is expected to reach up to 50 centimeters in the Tohoku region, 40 centimeters in Hokkaido and Niigata prefectures, 35 centimeters in the Kanto-Koshin region, and 30 centimeters in the Hokuriku and Tokai regions, stated the JMA.
Weather officials have urged residents to prepare for traffic disruptions and exercise caution regarding snow accumulation on power lines and trees, as well as the risk of avalanches in snow-laden areas, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Winds are likely to strengthen along the Sea of Japan coast from northern to western Japan through Sunday, with the possibility of blizzard conditions in some regions, added the JMA.
Heavy snow had already blanketed northern Japan on Tuesday, leading to numerous flight cancellations as many individuals were traveling for the New Year holidays.
Japan Airlines reported the cancellation of 42 flights to and from Hokkaido, affecting 6,398 passengers, while All Nippon Airways canceled 14 flights, impacting 800 passengers.
According to the JMA, significant snowfall affected various areas in central and northern Hokkaido on Tuesday due to a winter pressure pattern.
Earlier this year, the average temperature across Japan from September to November 2024 was recorded as the highest since 1898.
The nationwide autumn average was 1.97 degrees Celsius above the normal baseline, surpassing the previous record set last year by a significant margin of 0.58 degrees, the data revealed.
The JMA attributed this record-breaking warmth to the impacts of global warming and a northward shift in the jet stream, which allowed warm southern air to prevail.
