Heavy snow hit Hokkaido prefecture in northern Japan on February 21, 2022. The capital Sapporo was blanketed in over 30cm (12 inches) of snow, creating whiteout conditions that left vehicles stranded on the expressway.
In the city of Hokuto, one person died in a vehicle pile-up involving at least 10 cars on an expressway. About 700 trains and 198 flights to Hokkaido were cancelled. The blizzard is forecast to continue in the north and east of the prefecture, with 70cm (28 inches) of snow expected.
