By SHOKO RIKIMARU/ Staff Writer
February 6, 2025 at 15:35 JST
The Japan Meteorological Agency extended its heavy snowfall warning to around Feb. 9, mainly on the Sea of Japan side, after snow covered several municipalities on Feb. 6.
More than 60 centimeters of snow has fallen over a 24-hour period in some parts of the Hokuriku region.
In the 24 hours to 11 a.m. on Feb. 6, 65 cm of snow landed in Kaneyama, Fukushima Prefecture, 55 cm in Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture, and 54 cm in Akaigawa, Hokkaido.
Kagoshima on the main island of Kyushu also observed 2 cm of snow over the same period.
The strongest cold air mass in several years has moved south and remains near Japan. Its influence is expected to lead to a continuation of heavy snow and severe weather over a wide area.
The Japan Sea Polar Air Mass Convergence Zone (JPCZ) over the Sea of Japan, which has brought heavy snow in the past, is likely to flow in and dump heavy snow on the Hokuriku region and surrounding areas.
The influence of a strong low pressure system could also cause heavy snowfall in certain areas of Hokkaido.
Even in Pacific side areas, such as the Tokai, Shikoku and southern Kyushu regions, which usually have little snow, heavy snow is expected to fall sporadically mainly in inland areas until around Feb. 9.
The snow will accumulate even on flatland plains.
The JMA is warning people in the affected areas to remain cautious about heavy winds, high waves, icy roads and snow piling up on power lines.
In the 24 hours to noon on Feb. 7, up to 70 cm of snow is expected in the Tohoku region, 80 cm in the Hokuriku region, and 50 cm in Hokkaido.
The forecast for the 24 hours to noon on Feb. 8 is up to 70 cm of snow in the Tohoku, Hokuriku, Tokai, Kinki and Chugoku regions.
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A resident removes snow in Tadami, Fukushima Prefecture, at 1:50 p.m. on Feb. 5. (Toru Saito)
