Weather officials in Japan are forecasting strong winds across the country on Wednesday as well as high waves, and heavy snow especially along mountainous areas.

The Meteorological Agency says that atmospheric conditions are becoming unsteady for the day, and are urging people to be alert for gusty winds, high waves, heavy snow. People should be aware of the possibility of lightning strikes and tornadoes too.

The agency says winds are intensifying mainly in western and eastern Japan due to the influence of a low pressure system.

As of 5 a.m. on Wednesday, maximum instantaneous wind speeds of 89 kilometers per hour were observed in Uwajima city in Ehime Prefecture.

The low pressure system is expected to pass through eastern Japan while developing, bringing strong winds to large parts of Japan from west to north and causing high waves.

Maximum winds of about 90 kilometers per hour are forecast in the Hokuriku and Shikoku regions, 82 kilometers per hour in the Tohoku, Kanto-Koshin, Tokai, Kinki and Chugoku regions, and 72 kilometers per hour in northern Kyushu.

Gusts of around 108 to 126 kilometers per hour are expected in these areas.

The officials say heavy snow is expected in mountainous areas along the Sea of Japan coast from western through eastern Japan. They say the cause is an unseasonably cold air mass flowing in as the low pressure system passes by.

In the 24 hours through Thursday morning, up to 70 centimeters of snowfall is expected in the Hokuriku region, 60 centimeters in the Kanto-Koshin region, and 40 centimeters in the Chugoku regions.

The agency is also calling on people to be alert for traffic disruptions and icy roads.