Jan 11 (NHK) - Japanese weather officials say snowfall is forecast for the Pacific side of the country, as the heavy snow that hit Sea of Japan areas subsides.
They say while the accumulations near the Japan Sea may have peaked, vigilance is still needed for traffic disruptions and snow-related accidents.
Japan's Meteorological Agency says the snowfall on the Pacific side will come from Monday evening through Tuesday, due to a low pressure system off the coast.
The snow will mainly fall on mountainous areas between the western Kyushu and eastern Kanto-Koshin regions. Officials say there may also be accumulation on flatlands.
They say that in mountainous areas, up to 20 centimeters of snow is forecast for 24 hours through Tuesday evening, in the Kinki, Tokai and Shikoku regions. Kanto-Koshin and Chugoku may see up to 15 centimeters, and Kyushu as much as 10 centimeters.
Even on flatlands, Kinki and Shikoku may see up to 10 centimeters of snow, followed by 7 centimeters in Kanto.
Central Tokyo may also have one centimeter.
The agency is calling on people to avoid non-essential outings and to prepare winter tires and chains for vehicles even on the Pacific side.
On the Sea of Japan side, deep accumulations of snow remain. The snow depth reached 229 centimeters in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture, 114 centimeters in Toyama and 90 centimeters in Fukui as of 5 p.m. Monday.
Weather officials are warning of continued traffic disruption, snow falling from roofs and avalanches on the Japan Sea coast.
