Heavy snow blankets Sea of Japan coast, more expected

 A strong winter pressure pattern and a cold air mass above Japan have
brought heavy snow, especially along the Sea of Japan coast from Hokkaido down
to the Chugoku region.

Some areas of Niigata and Nagano prefectures got more than 80 centimeters of
snow in the 24 hours through Sunday morning.

As of 9 a.m. on Sunday, snow accumulation of 342 centimeters was recorded in
the town of Tsunan in Niigata Prefecture, and 262 centimeters in the village
of Nozawaonsen in Nagano Prefecture.

In the city of Sapporo in the country's northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido,
108 centimeters of snow was on the ground. The last time the city saw snow
deeper than one meter was in March 2014.

Up to 65 centimeters of snow is expected to fall in the 24 hours through
Monday morning in Niigata Prefecture, 60 centimeters in the prefectures of
Nagano and Gifu, as well as the northern Kansai region.

Officials warn that the strong cold air mass is expected to move across to the
Pacific Coast, bringing heavy snow to the plains in the Tokai region and
elsewhere.

Weather officials warn the snow could cause traffic disruptions and power
outages. They are calling for caution against snow falling from rooftops and
avalanches.

with information from www3.nhk.or.jp