The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts warning-level heavy snowfall in mountainous areas and flatlands mainly on the Sea of Japan side from northern to western Japan through around Sunday, due to a continuing strong winter pressure pattern. The agency and the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry issued a joint emergency announcement on Monday, urging caution against public transportation disruptions and refraining from nonessential outings. Akita Shinkansen services have been suspended due to the snow.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of warning-level heavy snowfall in mountainous areas and flatlands, mainly on the Sea of Japan side from northern to western Japan, through around Sunday, owing to a persistent strong winter pressure pattern. Parts of the Tokai region, which usually sees little snow, may also experience heavy accumulation.
On Monday, the agency and the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry jointly issued an emergency announcement, calling for vigilance against disruptions in public transportation and advising people to avoid nonessential outings. Warning-level snowfall is possible from Tuesday to Wednesday in Hokkaido; Wednesday to Thursday in northern Kanto as well as the Kinki and Chugoku regions; and Wednesday to Saturday in the Tohoku, Hokuriku, and Tokai regions.
Expected 24-hour snowfall from Wednesday through Thursday until 6 p.m. each day could reach 100 centimeters in the Hokuriku region, 70 centimeters in Tohoku and Kinki, and 50 centimeters in Hokkaido, the Kanto-Koshin, Tokai, and Chugoku regions in the heaviest-hit areas.
In response, East Japan Railway Co. suspended both inbound and outbound Akita Shinkansen services between Akita and Morioka stations since the first train on Tuesday due to heavy snow, with resumption scheduled for around 3 p.m.
