Snowstorms are forecast to hit the Sea of Japan coasts of northern to eastern Japan from Sunday through Monday. Heavy snow is expected on the Sea of Japan areas of northern to western Japan.

Weather officials say a powerful winter pressure pattern is causing an extremely cold air mass to flow in over the Japanese archipelago.

In the six hours to 6 a.m. on Sunday, 34 centimeters of snow fell in Shinano Town, Nagano Prefecture; 15 centimeters in Tsunan Town, Niigata Prefecture; and Uwano-kogen of Kami Town, Hyogo Prefecture.

In the 24 hours to Monday morning, up to 70 centimeters of snowfall is forecast in the Tohoku and Kanto-Koshin regions, as well as Niigata Prefecture; 60 centimeters in Tokai; and 50 centimeters in Hokuriku, 40 centimeters in Kansai and 35 centimeters in Chugoku.

In the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions on Sunday, winds of up to 72 kilometers per hour are expected with maximum gusts reaching an hourly speed of 108 kilometers.

Seas will be very rough in northern Japan toward Monday.

Weather officials are calling on people on the Sea of Japan coasts of northern to eastern Japan to prepare for possible traffic disruptions caused by blizzards, as well as windstorms and high waves. People on the Sea of Japan coastal areas of northern to western Japan are advised to stay vigilant against heavy snow.