Japan: Adverse winter weather forecast across much of the country through at least Dec. 23

Adverse winter weather conditions are forecast across much of Japan through at least Dec. 23. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned a winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern will develop Dec. 21-23, with heavy snow most likely in northern regions and parts of western Japan along the Sea of Japan. Daily snowfall accumulations of 20-70 cm (8-28 inches) are expected across Hokkaido, Hokuriku, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku, and Northern Kyushu regions over the coming days. A drop in temperatures is also expected in many areas. Hazardous travel conditions are likely across much of the country due to slippery roads, reduced visibility caused by blowing snow, and blocked routes due to snowfall accumulations.

As of Dec. 20, the JMA has issued the following weather warnings across the country:

• Yellow snowstorm warnings (the lowest level on a three-tier scale): Ishikari, Rumoi, Shiribeshi, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, Shimane and Tottori prefectures in Chugoku Region, and parts of Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Saga, and Yamaguchi prefectures in Northern Kyushu Region.

• Yellow heavy snow warnings: Kamikawa, Rumoi, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, parts of Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures in Hokuriku Region, Shimane Prefecture in Chugoku Region, much of Northern Kyushu Region, and parts of Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures in Southern Kyushu Region.

• Yellow heavy rain/landslide warnings: Parts of Fukui, Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures in Hokuriku Region.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Much of Hokuriku and Northern Kyushu regions and parts of Kyoto Prefecture in Kinki Region and Shimane and Tottori prefectures in Chugoku Region.

• Yellow storm/gale warnings: Across Hokuriku Region, much of Okinawa Prefecture, Mombetsu Region in Hokkaido Prefecture, and parts of Chiba, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Tochigi, and Tokyo prefectures in Kanto Koshin Region, Shizuoka Prefecture in Tokai Region, Hyogo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Shiga prefectures in Kinki Region, Hiroshima Prefecture in Chugoku Region, Ehime and Kochi prefectures in Shikoku Region, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, and Oita prefectures in Northern Kyushu Region, and Kagoshima Prefecture in Southern Kyushu Region.

• Yellow high wave warnings: Across Okinawa Prefecture, much of Hokuriku, Chugoku, and Norther Kyushu regions, Abashiri, Ishikari, Mombetsu, Nemuro, Rumoi, Shiribeshi, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, and parts of Chiba, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, and Tokyo prefectures in Kanto Koshin Region, Hyogo, Kyoto, and Osaka prefectures in Kinki Region, Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku Region, and Kagoshima Prefecture in Southern Kyushu Region.

• Yellow avalanche warnings: Kamikawa, Rumoi, Shiribeshi, Sorachi, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture.

• Yellow low-temperature warnings: Kushiro and Neumro regions in Hokkaido Prefecture and parts of Akita and Iwate prefectures in Tohoku Region.

• Yellow snow accretion warnings: Across much of Northern Kyushu Region and parts of Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures in Hokuriku Region.

• Yellow dry air warnings: Tokachi Region in Hokkaido Prefecture, parts of Chiba, Gunma, Kanagawa, Tochigi, and Tokyo prefectures in Kanto Koshin Region, and Hyogo and Osaka prefectures in Kinki 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.

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