Weather officials say heavy snow may fall in areas hit hard by the January 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake, which struck the Sea of Japan side of central Japan.

A winter pressure pattern and cold air are bringing snow to Ishikawa and Niigata prefectures and other areas.

Heavy snow is expected in northern and eastern Japan through Tuesday. Ishikawa Prefecture may get heavy snowfall from Monday night through Tuesday morning.

In the 24 hours through Tuesday evening, up to 80 centimeters of snowfall is forecast for the Tohoku and Kanto-Koshin regions and Niigata Prefecture, and up to 60 centimeters of snow is expected in the Hokuriku region, including Ishikawa. Up to 20 centimeters of snowfall is forecast for the plains of Ishikawa.

Weather officials are calling on residents to be on the alert for blizzards, icy roads and avalanches, among other situations.

They also warn that it is easier for houses damaged by the earthquake to collapse due to the weight of the snow on roofs.

The officials say temperatures are expected to fall below freezing in hard-hit areas on Tuesday morning.

Many people have fallen ill as their stay in evacuation centers is prolonged. Some of them have died of suspected disaster-related causes.

Officials advise evacuees to take precautions against hypothermia. The officials are calling on them to be careful about whether family members and people around them feel ill. They are also advised to stay warm as much as possible and move their bodies regularly.