Japan: Adverse winter weather forecast across much of the country through at least Jan. 25

Adverse winter weather conditions are forecast across much of Japan through at least Jan. 25. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of heavy snowfall in areas of northern and western Japan off the Sea of Japan, as well as light snowfall in parts of eastern and western Japan that rarely receive much snow. Daily snowfall accumulations of 30-100 cm (12-39 inches) are expected across parts of Hokkaido, Hokuriku, Tohoku, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku, and Kanto Koshin regions over the coming days, as well as lighter accumulations in parts of Northern Kyushu, Shikoku, and Southern Kyushu. Rough seas are also expected in parts of Hokkaido, Hokuriku, and Tohoku over the coming days, with waves up to 6 meters (20 feet) possible Jan. 23-24. 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 Jan. 22, the JMA has issued the following weather warnings across the country:

• Red snowstorm warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Soya Region in Hokkaido Prefecture.

• Yellow heavy rain/landslide warnings: Across Iwate Prefecture and parts of Fukushima Prefecture in Tohoku Region and parts of Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures in Hokuriku Region.

• Yellow storm/gale warnings: Hiyama and Oshima regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, much of Okinawa Prefecture, much of Tokai, Hokuriku, Kinki, Shikoku, and Northern Kyushu regions, and parts of Akita, Aomori, Iwate, and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region, Chiba, Kanagawa, and Tokyo prefectures in Kanto Koshin Region, Tottori Prefecture in Chugoku Region, and Kogaoshima and Miyazaki prefectures in Southern Kyushu Region.

• Yellow snowstorm warnings: Hidaka, Iburi, Ishikari, Kamikawa, Kushiro, Mombetsu, Nemuro, Rumoi, Shiribeshi, and Sorachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, Shimane Prefecture in Chugoku Region, and Yamaguchi Prefecture in Northern Kyushu Region.

• Yellow heavy snow warnings: Hidaka, Iburi, Ishikari, Kamikawa, Kushiro, Nemuro, Shiribeshi, Soya, and Tokachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture.

• Yellow high wave warnings: Across Okinawa Prefecture, much of Tohoku, Hokuriku, and Northern Kyushu regions, Hidaka, Hiyama, Iburi, Kushiro, Nemuro, Oshima, Soya, and Tokachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, and parts of Chiba, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, and Tokyo prefectures in Kanto Koshin Region, Shizuoka Prefecture in Tokai Region, Hyogo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Wakayama prefectures in Kinki Region, Shimane and Tottori prefectures in Chugoku Region, Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku Region, and Kagoshima Prefecture in Southern Kyushu region.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Hidaka, Hiyama, Iburi, and Oshima regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, parts of Akita and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region, and Toyama Prefecture in Hokuriku Region.

• Yellow thaw warnings: Hiyama and Oshima regions in Hokkaido Prefecture.

• Yellow dense fog warnings: Parts of Aomori and Fukushima prefectures in Tohoku Region and Chiba, Ibaraki, and Tochigi prefectures in Kanto Koshin Region.

• Yellow avalanche warnings: Hidaka, Hiyama, Iburi, Ishikari, Kamikawa, Kushiro, Nemuro, Oshima, Shiribeshi, Soya, and Tokachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, parts of Aomori and Fukushima prefectures in Tohoku Region, Gunma, Nagano, and Tochigi prefectures in Kanto Koshin Region, and Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures in Hokuriku Region.

• Yellow snow accretion warnings: Hidaka, Hiyama, Iburi, Ishikari, Kushiro, Nemuro, Oshima, Shiribeshi, Sorachi, and Tokachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture.

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.