Photo/Illutration Pedestrians cross the Shijo-ohashi bridge in Kyoto in the snow on Dec. 26. (Takuya Tanabe)

Heavy snowfall that set single-day records in the Kansai region and disrupted traffic and travel nationwide is expected to continue until Dec. 28.

The Japan Meteorological Agency is urging caution against additional traffic disruptions caused by icy roads.

A strong “once in several years” cold air mass of minus 45 degrees or lower has spread about 5 kilometers above northern Japan, dumping snow even in areas along the Pacific coast, the agency said.

Over the 24-hour period through dawn on Dec. 27, 71 centimeters of snow fell in Asago, Hyogo Prefecture, and 68 cm in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, both single-day records.

Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, received 70 cm of snow over the same period, while 64 cm blanketed Tadami, Fukushima Prefecture.

The cold air sent the mercury plunging to minus 3.4 degrees in Tokyo’s Nerima Ward, a record-low temperature for December.

The heavy snow also stranded four trains on the JR Biwako Line, including those bound for Maibara Station in Maibara, Shiga Prefecture, in the early hours of Dec. 27. Other trains were also forced to temporarily suspend services.

Japan Airlines Co. canceled 10 flights to and from airports in Hokkaido, while All Nippon Airways Co. grounded 18 flights.

Many sections of highways were also closed off.

The expected snowfall for the 24-hour period through 6 a.m. on Dec. 28 for each region is: 90 cm in Hokuriku; 80 cm in Tokai and Kinki; 60 cm in Tohoku; 50 cm in Kanto-Koshin; 40 cm in Chugoku; 15 cm in northern Kyushu; and 5 cm in Shikoku and southern Kyushu.

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