Photo/Illutration A heavy snow warning was in place for Nakano, Nagano Prefecture, on Dec. 31. (Daisuke Shimizu)

Heavy snow warnings were issued for Niigata and Nagano prefectures as blizzard-like conditions are expected to continue along the Sea of Japan coast into New Year’s Day, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Dec. 31.

The continuing snowfalls have already affected transportation services.

According to the JMA, 89 centimeters of snow fell on Nozawa Onsen in Nagano Prefecture over the 24-hour period until 11 a.m. on Dec. 31, while Myoko, Niigata Prefecture, received 85 cm and Tsunan, also in Niigata, was hit with 81 cm.

The total accumulated snowfall from the recent storms until 11 a.m. on Dec. 31 was 246 cm in Sukayu, Aomori Prefecture, 189 cm at Tsunan, and 164 cm at Okura, Yamagata Prefecture.

For the 24-hour period until 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day, the JMA has forecast up to 80 cm of snow along the mountainous parts of Niigata Prefecture, 70 cm in the northern Kanto region, 60 cm in Nagano Prefecture, and 40 cm in the plains of Niigata Prefecture.

Services were canceled on sections of the JR Joetsu and Iiyama lines. Shinkansen bullet trains reduced their speed between Kyoto and Gifu-Hashima stations along the Tokaido and Sanyo lines.

All Nippon Airways canceled 54 flights on Dec. 31 due to strong winds and snow.

The snow was expected to intensify on New Year’s Day and JMA officials were urging caution against disruption in transportation due to blizzards and snow drifts.

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