Japan is in the grips of a cold winter snap. Authorities warn of possible traffic disruptions in Hokkaido caused by heavy snow and blizzards.
Meteorological Agency officials say a winter pressure pattern has brought heavy snow to northern and western areas along the Sea of Japan coast.
Accumulated snowfall as of 5 a.m. on Saturday had reached 2.14 meters in the Sukayu area of Aomori Prefecture; 78 centimeters in Sounkyo, Hokkaido; 69 centimeters in Daisen, Tottori Prefecture; 67 centimeters in the Fujiwara district of Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture; and 58 centimeters in Tadami Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
Northern Japan has also seen strong winds. The maximum instantaneous wind speed reached 84.6 kilometers per hour in Kushiro City, Hokkaido; 75.9 kilometers per hour in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture; and 74.5 kilometers per hour in Happo Town, Akita Prefecture.
Snow and strong winds are expected through Saturday evening in Hokkaido, especially along the Sea of Japan coast.
Maximum sustained winds of 64.8 kilometers per hour are expected at sea, and 57.6 kilometers per hour on land, with gusts of up to 108 kilometers per hour.
People are urged to exercise caution on icy roads after temperatures dropped across the country on Saturday morning.
As of 5 a.m., lows reached minus 19.8 degrees Celsius in Rikubetsu Town, Hokkaido; minus 11.8 degrees in the Yabukawa district of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture; and minus 11.2 degrees in the Washikura district of Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture. The mercury fell to 1.7 degrees in central Tokyo.
Authorities are also warning of possible frozen water pipes and accidents on icy roads.
AloJapan.com