Overview
- Japan's weather agency cautioned that heavy snow will span northern to western regions through the weekend, with precautionary closures planned from Thursday on parts of the Meishin and Hokuriku expressways.
- In the 24 hours through 6 a.m. Thursday, forecasts call for up to 80 centimeters of snow in Hokuriku, 70 centimeters in Kinki and Chugoku, 60 centimeters in Tohoku, 50 centimeters in Hokkaido and Kanto-Koshinetsu, and 40 centimeters in Tokai.
- Mountainous areas of Niigata are forecast to receive up to 100 centimeters between noon Wednesday and Thursday with a further 100 centimeters possible in the following 24 hours, with up to 80 centimeters in other parts of Niigata and in Toyama mountains.
- Observed totals included 60 centimeters in Sukayu (Aomori City) and 44 centimeters in Uonuma (Niigata) over 24 hours as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, with around 25 centimeters at Sukayu in six hours and more than 20 centimeters in parts of Hokkaido and Fukushima.
- Seasonal low temperatures were recorded nationwide, including minus 20.2 C in Morioka, while Hachioji in Tokyo registered 0.5 C, a level typical of mid-February.