Japan: Adverse winter weather forecast across northern and eastern regions through at least Jan. 16

Adverse winter weather conditions are forecast across parts of northern and eastern Japan through at least Jan. 16. Strong winds, heavy snowfall, and rough seas are expected to impact parts of Hokkaido Prefecture, Tohoku Region, and Hokuriku Region over the coming days. Winds gusting up to 126 kph (78 mph) are possible across parts of Hokkaido Prefecture Jan. 15 and up to 108 kph (67 mph) in parts of the Hokuriku and Tohoku regions Jan. 15 and across the region Jan. 16. Snowfall accumulations of up to 80 cm (31 inches) are possible in parts of Hokuriku and Tohoku regions and 50 cm (20 inches) in Hokkaido Prefecture Jan. 15-16. The combination of strong winds and snowfall could lead to blizzard conditions in some northern regions. Wave heights of up to 6 meters (20 feet) are expected in coastal parts of the affected region Jan. 15 and up to 5 meters (16 feet) Jan. 16.

As of Jan, 15, the Japan Meteorological Agency has issued the following weather warnings across Hokkaido, Hokuriku, and Tohoku:

• Red snowstorm warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Ishikari, Rumoi, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture and parts of Akita and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region.

• Red heavy snowfall warnings: Parts of Aomori Prefecture in Tohoku Region.

• Red high wave warnings: Abashiri, Nemuro, Rumoi, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, parts of Akita and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region, and parts of Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures in Hokuriku Region

• Yellow storm/gale warnings: Hidaka, Kushiro, Nemuro, and Tokachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture and parts of Miyagi Prefecture in Tohoku Region.

• Yellow snowstorm warnings: Across most of the rest of the affected area not under red snowstorm warnings.

• Yellow heavy snow warnings: Across much of Hokkaido Prefecture and Hokuriku Region and parts of Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region.

• Yellow high wave warnings: Hidaka, Hiyama, Ishikari, Kushiro, Mombetsu, Oshima, Shiribeshi, and Tokachi regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, across Aomori and Iwate prefectures in Tohoku Region, and across the rest of Hokkaido Region not under red high wave warnings.

• Yellow storm surge warnings: Abashiri, Mombetsu, Nemuro, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Hidaka, Hiyama, Iburi, Ishikari, Kamikawa, Oshima, Rumoi, Shiribeshi, Sorachi, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, Akita, Aomori, and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region, and across Hokuriku Region.

• Yellow dry air warnings: Parts of Fukushima, Iwate, and Miyagi prefectures in Tohoku Region.

• Yellow avalanche warnings: Hiyama, Iburi, Ishikari, Kamikawa, Nemuro, Oshima, Rumoi, Shiribeshi, Sorachi, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture, parts of Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, and Iwate prefectures in Tohoku Region, and Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures in Hokuriku Region.

• Yellow low-temperature warnings: Toyama Prefecture in Hokuriku Region.

• Yellow ice accretion warnings: Abashiri, Mombetsu, Nemuro, and Soya regions in Hokkaido Prefecture.

• Yellow snow accretion warnings: Parts of Fukushima, Iwate, and Yamagata prefectures in Tohoku Region and Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures in Hokuriku 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 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 region.