Weather Officials Warning Of Blizzards In Hokkaido
Japanese meteorologists are calling on people in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido to be vigilant as a severe winter storm hits the region.
They are warning of heavy snow, possible white-outs, travel disruptions and high waves, as a rapidly developing low-pressure system is approaching.
A cold air mass of minus 33 degrees Celsius will likely flow in over northern and eastern Japan.
And the wintry atmospheric pressure pattern is strengthening, bringing rough weather to northern Japan.
At Cape Erimo in southern Hokkaido, the maximum wind speed hit 115 kilometers per hour.
On the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, snowfalls of 50 centimeters have accumulated over a span of 12 hours.
In some areas of the Pacific and Sea of Okhotsk coasts, snowfalls of up to 70 centimeters are expected over 24 hours to noon on Friday.
The officials say the stormy seas are also expected in northern Japan and the Hokuriku region through Friday.
The maximum wind speeds are expected to be 90 kilometers per hour in Hokkaido, 82 kilometers in Hokuriku, and 72 kilometers in the Tohoku region.
But they say sudden wind gusts could reach as high as 126 kilometers per hour.
