THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
February 18, 2025 at 17:41 JST
Heavy snowfall at the Joetsu city government office in Niigata Prefecture on Feb. 18 (Yasuo Tomatsu)
Weather officials warn that areas in the Kinki and Tokai regions that typically see little snow may be hit with heavy snowfall, with accumulation possible even in low-lying areas.
In the Hokuriku and Tokai regions, warning-level snowfall could continue until around Feb. 23, with a winter pressure pattern expected to persist for about a week while fluctuating in strength.
Heavy snow is falling mainly along the Sea of Japan side of the country’s mainland due to a strong cold air mass moving in through Feb. 19,
As of 11 a.m. on Feb. 18, snow levels from the previous 24 hours reached 55 centimeters in Aomori; 53 cm in Hinoemata village, Fukushima Prefecture; 46 cm in Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture; and 43 cm in Hida, Gifu Prefecture.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, heavy snowfall is expected to affect even low-lying areas along the Sea of Japan side from the Tohoku to Chugoku regions through Feb. 19.
Snow is likely build up even in areas such as Osaka, southern Kyoto Prefecture, southern Shiga Prefecture, Mie Prefecture and Aichi Prefecture, where snow is rare.
Total snowfall may be lower than levels caused by the last cold wave that passed through earlier this month; that wave remains the strongest of the season and this latest cold air mass is slightly weaker.
However, it is expected to persist for several days, fluctuating in intensity.
The heavy snow is expected to disrupt transportation.
According to the Kinki Regional Development Bureau, sections of the Meishin Expressway between the Ichinomiya Interchange and Ritto-Konan Interchange were closed from 4 p.m. on Feb. 18.
The same closure information applies to sections of the Hokuriku Expressway between the Tsuruga Interchange and Maihara Junction.
The bureau is urging people to avoid going out if heavy snow is forecast. For those who must drive, it recommends using winter tires or chains and carrying essentials such as a shovel.
(This article was written by Shoko Rikimaru and Kazuhide Setoguchi.)
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