TOKYO, Dec 20 (NNN-NHK) – A strong winter pressure pattern, has brought record snowfall to Japan’s north-eastern Tohoku region, yesterday, with weather officials urging caution for the possible impacts on public transport and blackouts.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), said that, in a 24-hour period, 110 centimetres of snow fell in the town of Tadami, in Fukushima Prefecture, while the snow was about 101 centimetres deep, at Okura Village, in northern Yamagata Prefecture, all record-breaking figures for each area.
Snow is expected to keep falling on the Sea of Japan coast, between the country’s north and west. In the 24-hour period through this afternoon, up to 70 centimetres of snow is forecast in Niigata Prefecture, and 50 centimetres in other parts of Tohoku, according to the JMA.
Yesterday’s snowfall paralysed Shinkansen bullet train services, and caused expressway closures. Japanese weather officials warned that, more snow is coming and advised people to be on high alert for traffic disruptions and other problems.– NNN-NHK
