China News Service, February 22. According to the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK) report, affected by the strong cold current, heavy snow continued to fall in parts of Hokkaido and Hokuriku, Japan, and the snow accumulation in many parts of Hokkaido reached a record high.
As of 2 p.m. local time on the 22nd, the snow at New Chitose Airport in Japan was 116 cm deep. Due to insufficient snow removal, the runway was closed and take-off and landing were suspended.
Image source: Screenshot of the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK) report
In the 24 hours up to 2 p.m. on the 22nd, the snowfall on the coast of Toyoura Town, Hokkaido was 62 cm, and the New Chitose Airport was 47 cm; in terms of snow depth, as of 2 p.m. local time, the snow accumulation in Kuromatsunai Town, Hokkaido exceeded 2 meters, Toyoura Town Ogishi reached 160 cm, and New Chitose Airport reached 116 cm, all of which broke the highest records since the start of statistics.
The heavy snow also affected local traffic. As of 11:00 am on the 22nd, all trains from JR Hokkaido Company from Sapporo Station were stopped.
New Chitose Airport was too deep to remove the snow. Both runways were closed, and flights were suspended. Hundreds of flights have been grounded. It is not yet possible to predict when the airport will resume operations.
An elderly man walks in the snow in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan, on February 21.
In Ishikawa Prefecture, several trains were delayed due to heavy snow, and several car skid incidents occurred. At present, three people were slightly injured.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said that Hokkaido, Niigata, and Hokuriku regions should pay attention to blizzard weather, be alert to the impact of snowfall weather on traffic, and call on the public to pay attention to safety.