Japanese weather officials say a strengthening winter pressure pattern is expected to bring heavy snow, mainly to areas along the Sea of Japan, from Monday to around Wednesday.

The Meteorological Agency says a strong cold air mass will likely cause heavy snow on the Sea of Japan side from the country's north to west, as well as inland areas on the Pacific side of eastern Japan, where snow is usually scarce.

In the 24 hours through Monday evening, up to 30 centimeters of snowfall is expected for the Hokuriku region and 25 centimeters for Gifu Prefecture. The Tohoku region and Nagano Prefecture could have 20 centimeters.

In the 24 hours through Tuesday evening, the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions and Niigata Prefecture could have 70 centimeters of snowfall, and the Kanto-Koshin region and Gifu Prefecture could have 50 centimeters.

In the 24 hours through Wednesday evening, Niigata Prefecture and the Hokuriku region could have 70 centimeters, and the Tohoku and Kanto-Koshin regions as well as Gifu Prefecture could have 50 centimeters.

The heavy snow could continue beyond Wednesday, mainly on the Sea of Japan side from the country's north to west, and cause more snow to pile up.

Weather officials are urging caution for traffic disruptions, snow accretion and avalanches.

A cold spell earlier this month has already caused more snow than usual to accumulate, mainly in mountainous areas of northern and eastern Japan. The officials say more snow could pile up in those places.