Due to the effects of the developing low pressure system and strong cold air, heavy snowfall will occur mainly on the Sea of ​​Japan side from the 16th to this Friday, and there is a risk that the snow will intensify even on flat ground.

It may be the heaviest snowfall this winter, especially in Hokuriku and Gifu prefectures, and the Japan Meteorological Agency is calling for confirmation of the latest weather information and caution regarding the impact of heavy snowfall on traffic.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, while the low pressure system in the Sea of ​​Japan is developing, it will approach from Hokuriku to the Tohoku region on the 17th, and strong cold air is expected to flow into the sky.



Therefore, from the 16th to the 18th of this Friday, heavy snow will occur mainly on the Sea of ​​Japan side, and it is expected that the snow will intensify even on flat ground.



Especially on the 17th when a low pressure system approaches, there is a possibility that the amount of snow will increase rapidly in a short time, and it may be the heaviest snowfall this winter around Hokuriku and Gifu prefectures.

The outlook for snow

The amount of snow that falls in the 24 hours until the evening of the 16th is expected to be 60 cm in Hokuriku and Gifu prefectures, 50 cm in Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures, and 40 cm in Niigata and northern Kinki prefectures.



In the 24 hours until the evening of the 17th, there will be 70 to 90 cm of snow in Gifu prefecture, 60 to 80 cm in Hokuriku, 50 to 70 cm in Niigata prefecture and northern Kinki, and 40 to 60 cm in Chugoku region. After that, it is expected that the snowfall will increase until Friday, the 18th.



The Japan Meteorological Agency pays attention to the latest weather and traffic information, is wary of the impact of heavy snow on traffic, and calls for careful attention to avalanches, falling snow from the roof, and power outages due to snow accretion.



If you have to drive to an area where heavy snow is expected, be sure to prepare early, such as installing winter tires and chains.



In addition, on the Sea of ​​Japan side of eastern Japan, where a low pressure system is approaching, the atmospheric condition is expected to become unstable and the sea will be severely damaged, so it is necessary to pay close attention to high waves as well as severe gusts such as lightning strikes and tornadoes.

Hokuriku / Kinki / Chugoku Regional Development Bureau

From the 16th to this Friday, heavy snow is expected mainly on the Sea of ​​Japan side, so the Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau and Kinki Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Chugoku Regional Development Bureau should prevent cars from getting stuck. If you have to drive a car, you should wear winter tires and chains, and if it snows heavily, you should refrain from going out unnecessarily.



According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, when a record heavy snowfall occurred in northern Kinki in late December last year, a stalling occurred on a national highway in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, and it took about 28 hours, which is more than a full day, to resolve it. about it.



For this reason, the Hokuriku Regional Development Bureau, Kinki Regional Development Bureau, and China Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said that this heavy snow could cause a car to get stuck and a car slip accident due to freezing of the road surface. If you have to drive a car in an expected area, we encourage you to always wear winter tires and chains.



In the event of heavy snowfall, we will refrain from going out unnecessarily and urgently, and we may close the road over a wide area of ​​national roads and highways. increase.



In the past heavy snowfall, the stalling of large vehicles led to large-scale traffic effects, so if a business vehicle is stranded without winter tires or chains, there is a possibility that malicious cases will be subject to administrative sanctions. We are calling for sufficient preparation as there are some.