Dec 28 (NHK) - Heavy snow and strong winds continue to affect northern and central Japan. Additional snow is expected to top 40 centimeters through Friday morning.
Weather officials say heavy snow is likely in the mountainous districts of northern and central Japan into this evening. They warn of avalanches in some areas and say transportation systems may be affected.
A maximum of about 60 centimeters of snow has fallen during the 24 hours beginning Wednesday in some areas.
As of noon on Thursday, 158 centimeters of snow had accumulated in the village of Hinoemata in Fukushima Prefecture.
30 to 40 centimeters of additional snow is likely to fall in northern and central Japan through Friday morning.
Source: ANNnewsCH