A winter pressure pattern and a cold air mass are bringing heavy snow to parts of northern Japan. Large accumulations are forecast for northern and eastern areas through Saturday, mainly in mountainous areas along the Sea of Japan coast. Snow is also expected in mountain areas of western Japan.

As of 5 a.m. Friday, 412 centimeters of snow had piled up in Sukayu in the Hakkoda mountain range in Aomori Prefecture. That's more than double the average amount.

In the 24 hours through Saturday morning, up to 50 centimeters of snow is expected in the Tohoku region, up to 40 centimeters in Hokkaido and Niigata prefectures, up to 35 centimeters in the Kanto-Koshin region and up to 30 centimeters in the Hokuriku and Tokai regions.

Winds could intensify along the Sea of Japan coast from northern to western Japan through Sunday, with possible blizzards in some areas.

The Japan Meteorological Agency is calling on people to prepare for traffic disruptions. Weather officials are also urging caution against snow that accumulates on power cables and trees, as well as avalanches in snow-covered areas.

On Friday, atmospheric conditions will likely be very unstable, mainly in the Hokuriku region. People are advised to watch out for lightning strikes, tornadoes and other sudden gusts of winds and hail.