The Meteorological Agency on Monday warned of heavy snow, storms and very rough seas mainly on the Sea of Japan side of the nation this week from Tuesday.
The winter atmospheric pattern, with high pressure in the west and low pressure in the east, is likely to bring the coldest weather of the season, which is expected to continue through next week, the agency said.
The agency urged people to be on high alert for possible traffic disruptions, including vehicles getting stranded due to heavy snow, and requested that people refrain from making nonessential and nonurgent outings.
In the 24 hours through noon Wednesday, snowfall is predicted to reach 70 centimeters in the Tohoku, Hokuriku and Tokai regions; 50 cm in Hokkaido and the Kinki and Chugoku regions; 40 cm in the Kanto Koshin region; 30 cm in the Shikoku and northern Kyushu regions; and 15 cm in the southern Kyushu region.
In the following 24 hours through noon Thursday, 100 cm of snowfall is predicted in Tohoku and Hokuriku; 70 cm in Tokai; 50 cm in Hokkaido, Kinki and Chugoku; 40 cm in Kanto Koshin; 30 cm in Shikoku and northern Kyushu; and 15 cm in southern Kyushu.
The agency predicts gusts of up to 126 kph in Hokkaido and 108 kph in Tohoku, Hokuriku and southern Kyushu on Wednesday.
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