Due to the effects of the low pressure, there is a risk of a blizzard centering on the Sea of ​​Japan side of northern Japan by the morning of the 21st, and vigilance is required for impacts on traffic and storms.


From Tuesday next week, the strongest cold air of this winter is likely to flow in, and there is a risk of heavy snowfall in a wide area from northern to western Japan, so please make preparations early.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a low pressure system with a front is progressing eastward around Hokkaido, and snow and winds are intensifying mainly on the Sea of ​​Japan side of northern Japan.

In Imakane Town, Hokkaido, 13 centimeters of snow fell in three hours until 8:00 pm.



In addition, around 7:00 pm, the maximum instantaneous wind speed


of 37.6 meters in Oguni Town, Yamagata Prefecture


and 30.5 meters in Akita City


was observed.



The low pressure system is expected to pass through northern Japan after this, and very strong winds with snow will blow mainly in Hokkaido and the Sea of ​​Japan side of Tohoku until the morning of the 21st, and there is a risk of a blizzard.



The maximum wind speed over the 21st is expected to reach


25 meters in Hokkaido and Tohoku


, 20 meters in Hokuriku and Niigata prefectures, and the


maximum instantaneous wind speed is expected to reach


35 meters in Hokkaido, Tohoku and Niigata prefectures,


and 30 meters in Hokuriku.



Waves are expected to continue to be high


, reaching 7 meters in Tohoku and


6 meters in Hokkaido and Niigata prefectures


.



The Japan Meteorological Agency has urged people to be on alert for blizzards and snowdrifts that affect traffic, storms and high waves.



On the other hand, from Tuesday the 24th to Thursday the 26th next week, the winter-type pressure pattern is expected to intensify, and the strongest cold air of this winter is expected to flow over Japan.



Heavy snow and stormy weather will occur mainly from northern Japan to the Sea of ​​Japan side of western Japan, and warning-level heavy snow and blizzards are possible in a wide area on the Pacific side, such as Kyushu, Shikoku, and the Tokai.



Temperatures are expected to drop considerably, with the lowest temperatures expected to drop below freezing in various parts of eastern and western Japan. Heavy snowfall and frozen road surfaces will affect traffic in various parts of the country, and there is also the risk of water pipes freezing.



Please pay attention to the latest weather information and prepare early.

On the night of the 24th, a very strong chill hits Kyushu, Shikoku and Kinki

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, from the beginning to the middle of this month, the westerly winds that flowed over Russia swirled greatly to the south, causing very strong cold air to flow in, and some locations recorded temperatures of minus 60 degrees Celsius or less.



As the westerly wind meanders southward near Japan next week, such extremely strong cold air is expected to flow in from the continent.



On the night of Tuesday the 24th, a very strong cold wind of -12 degrees Celsius or less is expected to cover Kyushu, Shikoku, and Kinki at an altitude of 1,500 meters.



In January 2016, a cold air of minus 12 degrees, similar to that expected this time, flowed over southern Kyushu, causing heavy snow in Kyushu, and snow was observed in Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture for the first time in 115 years.



At that time, there were a series of falls and accidents in various places, and according to the summary of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, 6 people died nationwide and more than 260 people were injured.



The Japan Meteorological Agency does not know the details of the snow forecast at this time, but it is possible that there will be warning-level heavy snowfall and blizzards not only on the Sea of ​​Japan side, but also on the Pacific side of Kyushu, Shikoku, and the Tokai. increase.



In addition, the lowest temperature on the 25th

is expected to be -5


degrees Celsius in Kochi and Hiroshima, -4 degrees


in central Tokyo,


and -3 degrees in Nagoya and Miyazaki .


We are calling to be careful about freezing pipes.

To prevent "frozen water pipes"...

"Freezing of water pipes" is more likely to occur when the temperature is low.



Water outages due to frozen water pipes have occurred one after another in the past, and from January to February 2018, about 36,000 households in 10 prefectures such as the Kanto, Hokuriku, and Chugoku regions were cut off.



In addition, in January 2016, when very strong cold air similar to this forecast flowed in, causing record heavy snowfall and low temperatures in various parts of western Japan, 21 people including Kyushu, Shikoku, Chugoku, and Kinki More than 504,000 households in prefectures have had their water supply cut off.



According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in areas where the temperature is usually not that low, water pipes are more likely to freeze when the minimum temperature drops below -4 degrees Celsius.



In particular, water pipes that are outdoors, facing north, are prone to shade, or are exposed to strong winds, are prone to freezing.



In order to prevent freezing,

it is effective to take measures such as


covering the part exposed to the outside air with a heat insulating material or towel, and

leaving a small amount of water running.

It is also important to remove it.

If it freezes, wrap it in a towel and slowly pour lukewarm water over it to melt it.

If you pour boiling water over it, the water pipe may burst.

In addition, it is safe to store drinking water or fill the bathtub with water in case the water supply is cut off.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said, ``Since low temperatures are expected nationwide, we want each family to prepare early.''











Government set up "Information Liaison Office" in preparation for heavy snowfall

From the 21st to the 21st, there will be a blizzard centered on the Sea of ​​Japan side of northern Japan, and next week there is also a risk of heavy snow over a wide area including the Pacific Ocean side. We have set up a communication room to gather information and take precautions.

Affecting some flights

Snow and strong winds have affected some flights in Hokkaido and elsewhere.



As of 4:00 pm on the 20th, Japan Airlines has canceled or canceled 46 flights to and from New Chitose Airport, Aomori Airport, Niigata Airport, etc.



All Nippon Airways has canceled 19 flights departing from and arriving at Kushiro Airport and Shonai Airport as of 5:00 pm on the 20th.



Airlines are urging customers to check the latest information on their websites, as there may be more cancellations depending on how the snow falls.

Impact on Hokkaido Railways

JR Hokkaido has announced that a total of 51 trains will be suspended, including four "Rapid Airport" trains connecting Sapporo and New Chitose Airport on the night of the 20th, as transport disruptions are expected due to the effects of the low pressure.



A total of 73 trains, including 22 "Rapid Airport" trains, will be suspended due to snow on the 21st.



A total of 51 trains, both rapid and local, were suspended on the 20th. Of these, the "Rapid Airport"


departed from Sapporo at 8:18 pm and 9:00 pm, and


departed from New Chitose Airport at 9:00 pm .

A total of 4 trains will be suspended at 7 minutes and 9:55 pm


.



A total of 73 rapid and local trains will be suspended on the 21st, of which


36 will be suspended on the Hakodate Chitose Line, including 22 "Rapid Airport" trains,


17 each on the Hakodate Line and the Gakuen Toshi Line, and the


Hanasaki Line .

There are 3 in .



JR is urging people to check the latest information on their website, etc., as there may be further suspensions or delays depending on the weather in the future.