Heavy snow on the Japan Sea side of Japan

Oita Godo Newspaper (December 18, 2009 10:20)

Due to the influence of strong coldness and the pressure pattern in winter, the land on the side of the Sea of Japan was covered by heavy snow on 18th. Referring to Meteorological Agency, the heavy snow would continue on 19^th mainly in the region west of Tokyo on Japan Sea side of Japan including Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui prefectures. The agency also called for attention to the road surface freezing and avalanches. On 19^th, there would be certain places in the East Sea and northeastern Pacific side of Japan where snow piled up.

18th, the first snow happened at Wakayama, Takamatsu, Kochi, and Oita whereas the first freezing was observed in Tottori and Kobe. Sapporo morning temperature was the lowest at -7.9 degree, -3.7 degree at Akita, 4.2 degree at Tokyo, -0.6 degree at Niigata, 0.1 degree at Kyoto and 1.5 degree in Kochi. This winter is the coldest for every cities and towns.

According to the agency, the chill lower than -42 degree, which was over the Sea of Japan for five meters, would pass through northern Japan on Monday morning. The winter pressure pattern would increase further.

Expected amount of snow in 24 hours from 18^th to the morning of 19^th was much everywhere. Hokuriku 80 cm; the Japan Sea side of Tohoku, Tokai (Gifu) 60 cm; Hokkaido, Kinki, Kanto-Koshin (Nagano Prefecture) 50 cm; Shikoku 15 cm.

Comment: Woo~ it sounds so cold. I think I couldn't live there since I easily suffer from coldness. However, it is challenging for people from tropic area like me. I prefer not too cold season such as spring and fall.  By the way, take care of your health, everyone!

PUNTHUCHAT Siripun

Thailand

APS4, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University