Japanese weather officials say snowfall is intensifying in areas on the Japan Sea side, with 24-hour accumulation reaching up to 70 centimeters in some places.

They are warning people to be alert for traffic disruptions.

The Meteorological Agency says the Japan Sea side of western to northern Japan is being hit by heavy snow caused by a midwinter-level cold air mass over the country and a winter pressure pattern around it.

The agency says that during the 24 hours through 6 p.m. on Friday, 71 centimeters of snow fell in the city of Itoigawa in Niigata Prefecture and Hokkaido's Iwamizawa City. Gujo City in Gifu Prefecture and Ono City in neighboring Fukui Prefecture both had 55 centimeters.

As of 6 p.m. on Friday there was 59 centimeters of snow in Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture, 58 centimeters in Joetsu City in Niigata and 40 centimeters in Tonami City in the neighboring prefecture of Toyama.

The officials warn that heavy snow is expected on the Japan Sea side of western to northern Japan through Saturday as the winter pressure pattern continues.

They say snowfall for the 24 hours through Saturday evening will reach up to 70 centimeters in Niigata, 50 centimeters in the Hokkaido, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Kanto-Koshin, Tokai and Kinki regions, and 40 centimeters in the Chugoku region.

Officials say snow will rapidly accumulate through late Friday evening, especially in the Hokuriku region and neighboring Niigata Prefecture.

The agency is warning of traffic disruptions due to snow accumulation, icy roads, blackouts and avalanches.