The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a heavy snow alert for Tottori and Ishikawa prefectures, warning of rapid accumulation of snow in parts of the regions.
The agency says a strong winter pressure pattern continues to bring snow, mainly to areas along the Sea of Japan coast from Hokkaido to the Chugoku region.
From midnight to 6 a.m. on Sunday, the city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture got 37 centimeters of snow, more than doubling the level of accumulation to 62 centimeters.
The agency is urging people in some regions of Tottori and Ishikawa to maintain extra vigilance, as mass traffic disruptions are expected.
Elsewhere, as of 6 a.m. on Sunday, accumulated snow reached 264 centimeters in the Sumon district in the city of Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture, and 141 centimeters in the Kuzuryu district in the city of Ono in Fukui Prefecture.
Some areas along the Sea of Japan coast have seen more than triple their yearly averages.
Officials say heavy snow is expected to continue through noon on Sunday, especially on the Sea of Japan side from northern to western Japan. Up to 70 centimeters of snow could blanket the Tohoku region and Niigata, and 60 centimeters in the Hokuriku region, and 50 centimeters in Hokkaido and the Kanto-Koshin region, in the 24-hour period through Monday morning.
They say plains in Aichi and Mie prefectures may see rare accumulation of snow, as clouds will move toward the Pacific side of Japan.
Officials say people should stay alert for power outages, avalanches and snow falling from rooftops. Drivers are advised to refrain from nonessential outings. Some roads have already been closed as a precaution.
AloJapan.com