Japanese weather officials forecast heavy snow through Thursday for areas along the Sea of Japan, including those hit by the massive quake on New Year's Day.

The officials are warning residents to be alert for traffic disruptions and power outages.

The Meteorological Agency says a winter-type pressure pattern is setting in around Japan, with the season's most powerful cold air mass flowing into it.

On Tuesday evening, it was snowing on and off along the Sea of Japan in parts of eastern and western Japan.

Weather officials say the winter pressure pattern will bring heavy snow mainly in mountainous areas along the Sea of Japan from western to eastern Japan through Thursday.

In the 24 hours through Wednesday evening, they expect 100 centimeters of snow in Niigata Prefecture, 80 centimeters in the Hokuriku and Kinki regions, 70 centimeters in the Tohoku and Tokai regions, and 60 centimeters in the Kanto-Koshin and Chugoku regions.

For the Noto Peninsula, where the powerful quake struck 3 weeks ago, weather officials are warning that buildings damaged by the quake could collapse under the weight of snow.

Severe cold will continue in the quake-hit areas on Wednesday.

Toyama City will have a daytime high of one degree Celsius, and the cities of Kanazawa and Wajima 2 degrees.

Authorities are advising evacuees to take precautions against hypothermia, such as using blankets or exercising to stay warm. They are also asking evacuees to check health conditions of family members and others around them.

As shelter stays drag on, a growing number of evacuees have fallen ill. Some have died from causes related to the disaster.