Jan 26 (NHK) - Japanese weather officials say a cold air mass is bringing heavy snow to much of the Sea of Japan side of the country over the weekend.
The officials warn that even lowlands along the Pacific coast may be hit by snow.
The Meteorological Agency says that 1.35 meters of snow had piled up in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, and 1.15 meters in a village in Nagano Prefecture, by 2 PM on Saturday.
The agency says about one meter of fresh snow may fall within 24 hours in Niigata and 80 centimeters in Nagano in central Japan.
Some 20 to ten centimeters is expected in western Japan.
The officials are warning of icy roads, avalanches and snow-related accidents.