Northern to western Japan along the Sea of Japan coast may experience significant snowfall until around Sunday. Heavy snow is also possible in areas along the Pacific coast, which usually do not get much snow.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says the conditions are due to a strong winter pressure pattern.
In the six hours until 6 a.m. Wednesday, snowfall reached 24 centimeters in the Sukayu area of Aomori Prefecture and 20 centimeters at Wakkanai Airport in Hokkaido and in Tadami Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
The strong winter pressure pattern is expected to continue through to around Sunday, bringing heavy snow, mainly from the western to northern parts of the country, along the coast of the Sea of Japan. Heavy snow is possible even in flatlands.
Snowfall could intensify rapidly due to the effects of bands of snow clouds created by a Japan Sea polar air mass convergence zone.
The forecast for snowfall in the 24 hours until Thursday morning is up to 80 centimeters in the Hokuriku region and Niigata Prefecture, 70 centimeters in the Kinki and Chugoku regions, 60 centimeters in the Tohoku region, 50 centimeters in Hokkaido and the Kanto-Koshin region and 40 centimeters in the Tokai region.
Snow is expected to intensify on Thursday from Hokuriku to the Sanin region.
In the 24 hours until Friday morning, 100 centimeters of snow is forecast in Hokuriku and Niigata Prefecture, 70 centimeters in Tohoku and Kinki, 50 centimeters in Hokkaido, Tokai and Chugoku and 30 centimeters in the Kanto-Koshin.
In the following 24 hours until Saturday morning, 70 centimeters of snow may fall in Tohoku, Hokuriku and Niigata Prefecture, 50 centimeters in Tokai and 40 centimeters in Hokkaido and Kinki.
Heavy snow is possible even in some places along the Pacific coast, which usually do not experience much snow.
The conditions could have prolonged impacts. Roads may be closed as a precaution to prevent vehicles from getting stranded.
Weather officials say people should be prepared for possible traffic disruptions, power outages caused by snow on power lines and avalanches.
People are also advised to ensure they have adequate provisions and to reschedule plans if necessary.
AloJapan.com