Snow has rapidly piled up mainly in the Sanin and Kinki regions in western Japan due to a very strong cold air mass.
The Japan Meteorological Agency says snowfall intensified in areas between Niigata Prefecture and the Sanin region as a winter pressure pattern strengthened.
Snow cloud bands generated by what is known as a Japan Sea polar air mass convergence zone brought swift increases in snow build-ups in Kyoto, Fukui and Tottori through Sunday morning. That triggered a heavy snow alert in those prefectures.
During the six-hour period through 11 a.m. on Sunday, a record 35 centimeters of snow fell in the Miyama district of Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture. A record 37 centimeters fell during the six-hour period through 8 a.m. in Tottori City.
As of 6 p.m. on Sunday, snow accumulation reached 1.6 meters in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, 1.33 meters in Aomori City, and 1.07 meters in Shinjo City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Snow fell on the Pacific side of the country, which usually does not get much snow. At one point, five centimeters accumulated in central Tokyo.
Although the winter pressure pattern is expected to gradually ease, snowfall is likely to continue mainly on the Sea of Japan side from northern to western Japan on Monday.
Snowfall in the 24-hour period through Monday evening is expected to reach up to 60 centimeters in Niigata Prefecture, 50 centimeters in the Kanto-Koshin region, and 40 centimeters in Hokkaido as well as the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions. Gifu Prefecture and the Kinki region will likely see up to 30 centimeters of snow and the Chugoku region is expected to get up to 25 centimeters.
The Meteorological Agency is calling on people especially on the Sea of Japan side to be on the alert for traffic disruptions caused by heavy snow and snowstorms. The agency is also warning of snow causing avalanches and power outages, and snow falling from roofs.
Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing on Monday morning in various parts of the country, including central Tokyo. Agency officials say people should take extra care to avoid slipping on icy roads.
AloJapan.com