Record snowfall in Japan – An incredible 6 times more than usual

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In some areas, snow cover was 5.5 times more than in an average year!

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In Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, snow accumulation during the 12-hour period through the early morning totaled 59 centimeters (about 2 feet), a record high.

In Toyama, it reached 48 cm, the highest ever for the capital of the prefecture.

As of 9 a.m., Jan 8, the snow cover in Himi was six times more than usual.

In the town of Asahi, snow cover was 5.5 times more than in an average year.

A cold air mass, apparently the severest of the season, has made inroads into Japan.

Because of that, areas on the Sea of Japan side from Hokkaido to Kyushu, including flatlands, are expecting heavy snowfall until around Jan. 10.

The Hokuriku region, in particular, is expected to be hit with a large amount of snowfall over a short span of time.

In areas in and along mountains in Hokuriku, as much as 120 cm (4 feet) snow accumulation is expected during a 24-hour period.

In the Tokai, Kinki and Chugoku regions, as much as 70 cm of snowfall is expected.

The snow cover in Tohoku region is expected to reach 60 cm (2 ft) , followed by 50 cm in Hokkaido, 40 cm in the Kanto-Koshin region, 30 cm (one ft) in the Shikoku region and 20 cm in northern Kyushu and southern Kyushu regions.

JMA warns more on the way

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14091906

Heavy snow across Japan leaves cars stranded, homes without power

Heavy snow across much of Japan caused widespread disruption Friday, leaving nearly 44,000 homes without electricity. Dozens of evacuation centers were set up for residents unable to use heating.

Sections of the Hokuriku Expressway were closed between Ishikawa and Toyama prefectures on the Sea of Japan coast for snow clearance after 90 vehicles were stuck until early Friday morning, according to Central Nippon Express Co.

Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services were suspended for several hours as icicles on the overhead line halted power transmission.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that work was ongoing to restore power and Self-Defense Forces had been deployed to help clear the snow.

According to the weather agency, 120 centimeters of snowfall was expected in the Hokuriku region of central Japan in the 24 hours through 6 a.m. Saturday, with Tokai, Kinki and Tohoku among the other regions set for more heavy snow.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/01/0d340a6cb347-update1-heavy-snow-temporarily-strands-90-vehicles-on-central-japan-highway.html