Society

Heavy snow forecast along Sea of Japan coast

Dec 17 (NHK) - Weather officials are warning of possible heavy snow in wide areas from northern to western Japan from Friday night through Saturday.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says the season's coldest air mass is flowing in and expected to bring heavy snow along the Sea of Japan coast from the northern prefecture of Hokkaido to the Chugoku region in western Japan.

Maximum snowfall over the 24-hour period through noon on Saturday is expected to be 70 centimeters in Niigata Prefecture and the Kanto Koshin region, 60 centimeters in the Hokuriku region, and 50 centimeters in Hokkaido Prefecture and the regions of Tohoku, Tokai and Chugoku.

Snowfall is expected to continue through Sunday mainly in areas along the Sea of Japan coast from northern to western Japan.

In the 24 hours through noon on Sunday, 30 to 50 centimeters of snow is expected in the Hokuriku region, and 20 to 40 centimeters in the prefectures of Hokkaido and Niigata and the regions of Tohoku, Kanto Koshin and Tokai.

Weather officials say strong winds are likely to continue on Saturday, and high waves and rough seas are expected from Friday through Saturday.

They're urging people to be alert for high waves, strong winds and traffic disruptions caused by heavy snow and icy roads.

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