Weather agency warns of heavy snow in northeastern, central Japan

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The weather agency warned Sunday of heavy snowfall and strong winds mainly in eastern Japan and coastal areas along the Sea of Japan through Monday, while also warning of lightning strikes and gusty winds in wide areas from northeast through western Japan.

A low atmospheric pressure system with a strong cold air mass measuring minus 36 C or lower, located west of the Sea of Japan, is expected to head for the Hokuriku region from Sunday through Monday morning, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Another low atmospheric pressure system is expected to develop Sunday night in the Kanto region in eastern Japan and move off the coast of northeastern Japan.

The agency forecast up to 40 centimeters of snowfall in the 24 hours until Monday morning in the Tohoku and the Hokuriku regions and warned of possible avalanches. Source