Snow is falling along the Sea of Japan coast from northern to eastern Japan and is expected to intensify through Friday.

The Japan Meteorological Agency says a winter pressure pattern and a cold air mass are causing snowfall mainly on the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions and Niigata Prefecture.

Parts of the regions may see snow pile up rapidly, due to bands of snow clouds flowing in.

During the 24-hour period through Thursday evening, Tohoku can expect snowfall of 80 centimeters, the prefectures of Niigata and Gifu 70 centimeters, Hokuriku 60 centimeters, Hokkaido 50 centimeters, and northern Kanto and Nagano prefectures 40 centimeters.

During the 24 hours through Friday evening, 50 centimeters of snow is expected in northern Kanto, 40 centimeters in the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions and Niigata and Nagano prefectures, and 30 centimeters in Hokkaido and Gifu prefectures.

Weather officials are urging people to watch for possible traffic disruptions, avalanches, snow falling from rooftops or sticking to electric wires, and other developments.

People should also watch out for blizzards, which could lower visibility.