Intense snowfall could hit Japanese areas along the Sea of Japan and other parts of the country on Saturday and Sunday. Many of the locations have already received heavy snow accumulations in recent days.
The Japan Meteorological Agency is urging people to firmly keep their guard up against traffic disruptions, avalanches and power outages.
Snow could also fall and even pile up in Pacific-side areas that rarely see much snow, such as Tokyo's 23 wards and other southern parts of the Kanto region.
Snowfall and winds are currently picking up in parts of Hokkaido and the Tohoku region along the Sea of Japan due to a rapidly developing low pressure system.
Wind gusts recorded in the three hours through 5 a.m. on Friday reached 82.8 kilometers per hour in Hokkaido's Okushiri Town and 82.4 kilometers per hour in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture.
Snowfall in the six hours through 5 a.m. on Friday grew to 28 centimeters in Hokkaido's Sarufutsu Village and 20 centimeters in Noboribetsu City, also in the country's northernmost prefecture.
Snowfall for the 24-hour period through Sunday morning is expected to be 70 centimeters in Niigata Prefecture and 50 centimeters in Hokkaido as well as the Tohoku, Hokuriku and Chugoku regions.
Heavy snow is forecast to peak on Sunday. Snowfall for the 24-hour period through Monday morning is predicted to be 70 centimeters in Niigata Prefecture and Chugoku, and 50 centimeters in Tohoku, Hokuriku and Kinki.
Meanwhile, blizzards are already buffeting some parts of Hokkaido, creating whiteout conditions in which visibility drops to zero.
Similar weather could especially batter the prefecture's Soya and Kamikawa-Rumoi areas. People in those places should refrain from nonessential outings and take necessary precautions.

Quiz 1:
What is the Japan Meteorological Agency urging people to be aware of?
A. Increased sunshine and warmer temperatures
B. Potential traffic disruptions, avalanches, and power outages
C. A decrease in snowfall across the country
D. Improvements in visibility due to clear skies

Quiz 2:
Which region is predicted to receive up to 70 centimeters of snowfall in the 24-hour period through Sunday morning?
A. Kanto region
B. Pacific-side areas
C. Niigata Prefecture
D. Hokkaido

Quiz 3:
What weather condition is currently impacting parts of Hokkaido, significantly reducing visibility?
A. Blizzards creating whiteout conditions
B. Intense sunshine causing glare
C. Clear skies and high visibility
D. Mild temperatures and gentle breezes

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: B
Quiz 2: C
Quiz 3: A