Photo/Illutration A resident works to clear snow in Uonuma, Niigata Prefecture, on Feb. 18. (Tadashi Kubota)

The Japan Meteorological Agency is forecasting heavy snowfall predominantly in regions of Honshu facing the Sea of Japan as the strong cold air mass flowing over the nation reaches its first peak on Feb. 19.

The Pacific side of eastern Japan, where it rarely snows, will also see heavy snowfall in mainly inland areas on Feb. 19. That side of the country can expect to see snow pile up even in lower-elevation areas.

Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) announced that Tokaido Shinkansen Line trains are reducing their speeds between Nagoya and Kyoto stations due to the snow, causing delays.

The predicted snow levels for the 24-hour period from Feb. 19 to Feb. 20 is up to 70 centimeters in the Hokuriku region, 60 cm in the Kanto-Koshin region and 50 cm in the Tokai and Kinki regions.

In northern Kanto, heavy snow is projected to hit some areas in the late hours of Feb. 19, with up to 60 cm expected in certain locales.

If the cold air mass grows stronger than expected, it may result in warning-level snowfall. 

In Minakami, Gunma Prefecture, 43 cm was recorded for the 24-hour period that ended at 7 a.m. on Feb. 19.

The second peak is expected to begin around Feb. 21. The Hokuriku and Tokai regions will possibly see warning-level amounts of snow. Heavy snow is also forecast to once again affect parts of the regions on the Sea of Japan side from then. 

The winter pressure pattern will likely continue until around Feb. 24.

(This article was written by Shoko Rikimaru and Yuki Kawano.)

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