A snowstorm pummeled northern and western Japan on Saturday due to a rapidly developing low-pressure zone, and the wintry weather is expected to continue through Sunday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The low-pressure zone has developed east of Honshu, while a strong cold air mass at minus 40 C has advanced southward bringing with it heavy snow.
Nagoya saw 9 cm of snow by Saturday morning, while Osaka experienced this winter's first snow six days earlier than usual.
The village of Kawai in Gifu Prefecture received 75 cm of snow in the 24 hours before 9 a.m. Saturday, while the village of Shirakawa reported 71 cm and Nozawa Onsen, in Nagano Prefecture, had 70 cm.
