A rapidly developing low pressure system is bringing gusty winds to southwestern Japan. The seasonal weather pattern will strengthen during the weekend and is likely to bring a severe snowstorm across a wide area of Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts gusty winds on Saturday, mainly for areas on the Sea of Japan side as the low moves north over the ocean.
The agency predicts the maximum wind speed will reach 82.8 kilometers per hour in the Hokuriku and Chugoku regions and 72 kilometers in Hokkaido and northern Kyushu. The instantaneous maximum wind velocity is expected to be between 108 and 126 kilometers.
High and rough waves are also expected.
The strengthening seasonal pressure pattern will bring a severe cold mass over the country from Sunday to Monday, dumping heavy snow from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south. Added with gusty winds, heavy snow may quickly lead to whiteout conditions in some areas.
Expected snowfalls in mountainous regions for the 24-hour period from Sunday morning to Monday morning are: 100 centimeters in the Tohoku region; 70 centimeters in the Hokuriku and Kinki regions and Niigata Prefecture; 50 in Hokkaido and Nagano prefectures and the Chugoku region: 40 in northern Kanto; 30 in Yamaguchi Prefecture; and 20 in the Shikoku region.
Expected snowfalls for the next 24-hour period through Tuesday morning are: 50 centimeters in the Tohoku region; 30 centimeters in Hokkaido and Niigata prefectures; and 10 centimeters in the regions of northern Kanto, Kinki and Chugoku.
Even flatland on the Sea of Japan coast may get heavy snow. Snow may pile up on the Pacific side of the country as well.
Weather officials are warning against heavy snow, blizzards, snowdrifts and their impact on transport systems over the holiday weekend. They say gusty winds, high waves, avalanches and blackouts caused by snow on power lines are also a concern.