TOKYO, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Japan's weather agency said heavy snow is expected to fall mainly along the country's Sea of Japan coast on Wednesday and will continue to blanket the area until around Sunday.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), a powerful winter pressure pattern together with a cold air mass is expected to affect Japan starting on Wednesday, and the inflow of cold air is expected to continue until around Sunday.
Weather conditions will be rough in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region on Tuesday, with blizzards expected to hit the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, the JMA said.
The JMA expects snowfall of up to 70 centimeters in the Tohoku region and Niigata Prefecture, 50 centimeters in Hokkaido and the Hokuriku region and 30 centimeters in Nagano Prefecture and the Sanin region in the 24-hour period until Wednesday evening.
In the 24 hours through Thursday evening, up to 100 centimeters of snow is expected in Niigata, 70 in the regions of Tohoku, Hokuriku and Kinki, and 50 in Nagano and Sanin.
The weather agency and the land ministry have issued a heavy snow warning, urging residents to refrain from nonessential outings, and recommending telework and online learning. ■
