Snow and wind have been intensifying from northern through central Japan. Weather officials are warning people in the country’s northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido about possible blizzards, heavy snow and violent wind.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says two rapidly developing low pressure systems are bracketing the northeastern region of Tohoku. It says they are sending high wind to areas from Hokkaido through eastern Japan.
Gusts of wind registered about 162 kilometers per hour at Cape Erimo in southern Hokkaido shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Wind also rose to some 111 kilometers per hour in Nemuro City in eastern Hokkaido and roughly 97 kilometers per hour in Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture.
Hokkaido is also receiving heavy snow. Snowfall in the six hours through 10 p.m. on Sunday reached 36 centimeters in Obihiro City and 34 centimeters in Hiroo Town.
More heavy snow could hit Hokkaido and elsewhere. Snowfall for the 24-hour period through Monday evening could grow to 80 centimeters in some parts of Hokkaido.
The agency says the weather could turn very dangerous for people in Hokkaido to go outside.
It is strongly urging them to take extra caution against blizzards, heavy snow and violent wind, as well as disruptions to transportation systems. Officials also say avalanches and power outages could occur.
The operator of New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido says that as of 6 p.m. on Sunday, very rough weather had forced the cancelation of 159 flights originally scheduled to leave or arrive at the airport during the day.
Airlines are calling on people to check the latest information on their websites.
Jetstar Japan says one of its passenger planes was stranded at an airport in Hokkaido for around three hours on Sunday. The airline says none of the 167 people onboard were injured.
The company says the aircraft left Narita Airport outside Tokyo and landed at New Chitose Airport shortly after 4 p.m. before getting stranded on a taxiway.
The airline says the plane was pulled by a tow tug to a parking apron at around 7 p.m., allowing passengers to disembark.
AloJapan.com