Dec 22 (NHK) - Japanese weather officials are warning of traffic disruptions as heavy snow blankets wide areas in Hokuriku and other regions along the Sea of Japan.
Snow has accumulated at levels far above average in many areas. The heavy snowfall has passed its peak, but the Meteorological Agency is calling on people to watch out for snowy or icy roads.
Heavy snow fell mainly along the Sea of Japan due to a midwinter-level cold air mass and a winter pressure pattern.
During the 24 hours through 11 a.m. on Saturday, snowfall reached 62 centimeters in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, and 60 centimeters in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture.
Many areas had higher-than-average snow accumulations, including 91 centimeters in Shirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture.
Local officials say more than 170 households were cut off by the snow in mountainous areas in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Saturday morning.
The snow caused six skidding accidents on the Tohoku Expressway in 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. in Iwate Prefecture. Police say the accidents occurred individually and nobody was injured.
