Japan is preparing for an extremely severe winter storm, and travel and other local residents need to be very cautious.
Unlike many of the past several years, this storm is creating heavy wet snowfall, which offers visual beauty, however, the authorities have stated that the additional risk of heavy snowfall over numerous regions could create travel hazards and other potential life-threatening weather conditions during this period.
Surprisingly, many of these hazards will actually come from too much heat keeping the ground warm and melting the previous record-breaking snowy conditions to an above-freezing state. The melting snow, in turn, can refreeze and create dangerous situations where structural collapses from sliding off roofs, the potential for hanging ice and triggers from the amount of melt water would cause small avalanches and other hazards would increase quite dramatically.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued forecasts for a huge area of Japan, starting at the western area of Japan and extending to the north. The snow is expected to reach peak accumulation from Friday through Sunday, with the highest accumulation on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, therefore, continuing to create hazardous conditions.
Many portions of Japan have coastlines that run, along the western seaboard of Japan and could also receive warnings of accumulating snow rates that would cause travel conditions that may or may not be safe to travel on as well as creating delays for rail and/or flight schedules
The uniqueness of this specific storm is that there is a good possibility of some snowfall occurring in areas that have historically never experienced any or at least very little snowfall, such as Kyushu and some coastal areas of the Pacific Ocean of Japan.
The initial impact of the storm is planned to be felt in Northern Japan. The snow will gradually spread and intensify over the weekend. Officials are most worried about vehicular problems and safety workers due to heavy snowfall.
In addition to wintery precipitation, winds pose another significant concern. In Hokkaido, wind gusts could be as high as 126 km/h (80 mph) on land and 126 km/h (80 mph) at sea. Also, the waves will be high and outdoor activity will be unsafe due to these winds.
Accumulation amounts and direction over a 24-hour period will give an even more alarming outlook. Hokkaido should have approximately 50 cm (20 in.) of each of snow accumulated, Tohoku approximately 40 cm (16 in.), and Niigata approximately 30 cm (12 in.) of snowfall total within 24 hrs. By Sunday, all of these totals will have increased.
Certain regions will likely receive snowfall greater than expected leading to an increase in risks such as roof collapses, snow falling off roofs, damage to infrastructure, and potential power outages caused by heavy snow on power lines.
There is ongoing concern surrounding agricultural land/assets, which could be at risk from heavy snow/ice ceilings and frozen conditions.
Public Transportation Authorities have advised the general public as well as anyone travelling to be mindful of potential delays in travel; to limit unnecessary travel; and to stay informed regarding current weather conditions by checking Reputable Sources of Information.
Although this is just another Winter Storm…it continues to validate that Environmental and Weather Pattern changes are becoming increasingly unpredictable and therefore any region that has typically been able to accommodate for relatively mild winter temperatures has the possibility of experiencing a very different winter season.
If you are currently located in Japan or are visiting Japan imminently the guidance provided is as follows: Stay Alert; Travel Smart; Do Not Under Estimate the impact winter weather can have.
