Overview
- Japan’s Meteorological Agency cautions that a rapidly intensifying low crossing near Hokkaido is reinforcing a strong winter pressure pattern that brings violent wind, blizzards and high waves on the Sea of Japan side and in northern regions.
- Through 6 a.m. Jan. 12, forecast 24‑hour snowfall peaks at 80 cm in Tohoku, Hokuriku and Tokai, 60 cm in Kinki, and 50 cm in Hokkaido, Kanto‑Koshin and Chugoku, with lesser but disruptive totals in Shikoku and northern Kyushu.
- Observed impacts include peak gusts of 27.7 m/s in Hakui, Ishikawa, and in Matsue, with double‑digit snowfall in multiple locations and two snow‑related deaths reported in Akita along with several injuries in other prefectures.
- The transport ministry urges winter tires and chains to prevent strandings and crashes, as sections of the Kyushu, Higashi‑Kyushu and Oita expressways were closed due to snow on Jan. 11.
- The Sapporo District Meteorological Observatory warns Hokkaido could see a rapid deterioration from the evening of Jan. 11, with blizzard conditions and heavy snow likely to disrupt travel.