23 Jan 2023 | 12:50 PM UTC
Japan: Adverse winter weather forecast across much of the country through at least Jan. 26
Snowfall, strong winds, and cold temperatures forecast across much of Japan through at least Jan. 26. Hazardous travel conditions likely.
Event
A low pressure system is forecast to bring adverse winter weather conditions across much of Japan through at least Jan. 26. The weather system will bring heavy snowfall accumulations and strong winds across much of the country and will also draw in a cold air mass, leading to a widespread drop in temperatures. The strong winds will likely cause blizzard conditions in areas that experience heavy snowfall and will generate rough seas in many coastal areas. Daily snowfall accumulations of 10-50 cm (4-20 inches) are forecast across most regions, with accumulations of 70-90 cm (28-35 inches) possible in Hokuriku Region Jan. 25. Winds gusting between 90-162 kph (56-101 mph) are expected across much of the country and waves reaching heights of 6-7 meters (20-23 feet) are likely in most coastal regions. Due to the unstable atmospheric conditions, lightning activity and tornadoes are also possible in northern Japan Jan. 24 and eastern and western Japan Jan. 24-25. Hazardous travel conditions are likely across much of the country due to reduced visibility caused by blowing snow and blocked routes due to snowfall accumulations.
As of Jan. 23, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued the following weather warnings across the country:
Yellow snowstorm warnings (the lowest level on a three-tier scale): Hidaka, Hiyama, Kushiro, Nemuro, Oshima, and Rumoi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture; parts of Akita, Iwate, and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region; parts of Hyogo Prefecture in Kinki Region, and across Shimane Prefecture in Chugoku Region.
Yellow heavy snow warnings: Hidaka, Ishikari, Oshima, and Shiribeshi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture; parts of Aomori and Iwate prefectures in Tohoku Region, and across Hyogo Prefecture in Kinki Region.
Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Hidaka, Hiyama, Iburi, Kushiro, Nemuro, Oshima, Soya, and Tokachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture; across Niigata Prefecture in Hokuriku Region, and across Hyogo and parts of Kyoto prefectures in Kinki Region.
Yellow storm/gale warnings: Tokachi Region in Hokkaido Prefecture; parts of Ehime, Kochi, and Tokushima prefectures in Shikoku Region; across Nagasaki, Oita, Saga, and Yamaguchi prefectures and parts of Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures in northern Kyushu Region; across Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Kyushu Region, and most of Okinawa Prefecture.
Yellow storm surge warnings: Nemuro Region in Hokkaido Prefecture; parts of Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures in Kinki Region, and parts of Kumamoto and Nagasaki prefectures in northern Kyushu Region.
Yellow avalanche warnings: Hidaka, Ishikari, Oshima, Shirbeshi, and Sorachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture; parts of Fukui and Niigata prefectures in Hokuriku Region, and parts of Tottori Prefecture in Chugoku Region.
Yellow high waves warnings: Hiyama and Oshima regions in Hokkaido Prefecture; parts of Hyogo Prefecture in Kinki Region; across Shimane Prefecture in Chugoku Region; parts of Ehime and Kochi prefectures in Shikoku Region; across Nagasaki and Saga and parts of Fukuoka, Oita, and Yamaguchi prefectures in northern Kyushu Region; across Kagoshima and parts of Miyazaki prefectures in southern Kyushu regions, and much of Okinawa Prefecture.
Yellow low temperature warnings: Ishikari, Shiribeshi, and Sorachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture; and parts of Nagasaki Prefecture in northern Kyushu Region.
Yellow ice accretion warnings: Soya Region in Hokkaido Prefecture.
Yellow snow accretion warnings: Hidaka, Hiyama, Kushiro, Nemuro, and Oshima regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, and parts of Aomori and Iwate prefectures in Tohoku Region.
Yellow dense fog warnings: Across Ibaraki Prefecture in Kanto Koshin Region.
Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.
In addition to the wintry precipitation, strong wind gusts could lead to periods of blowing and drifting snow. Sporadic power outages are likely throughout the affected area.
Transport
The winter weather will likely cause ground and air transport disruptions in the affected areas over the coming days. Traffic and commercial trucking delays are possible along regional highways. Difficult and potentially dangerous driving conditions are also likely on secondary and rural roadways in the affected states as maintenance crews prioritize clearing major routes. Authorities could close stretches of highway if driving conditions become too hazardous. Gusty winds may threaten to topple high-profile vehicles throughout the affected area. Flight delays and cancellations are likely due to ground stops and deicing operations at airports in the regions
Advice
Monitor local media for updated weather information. Verify road conditions before driving in areas where heavy snowfall is forecast. Allow extra time to reach destinations in these areas and carry an emergency kit and warm clothes if driving is necessary, especially on secondary or rural routes that could become impassable. Plan accordingly for delivery delays if routing shipments by truck through the affected area. Confirm flights. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
