Japanese weather officials say heavy snow is expected through Saturday in areas along the Sea of Japan coast, and that snow is also expected to accumulate in areas along the Pacific.

The Meteorological Agency says snow is falling on Friday, mainly in areas along the Sea of Japan coast from northern to western Japan, due to a winter pressure pattern.

During the 3 hours until 4 p.m., Mount Daisen in Tottori Prefecture had 8 centimeters of snow, while Tonami City in Toyama Prefecture and Niimi City in Okayama Prefecture had 7 centimeters.

The agency says the winter pressure pattern is expected to strengthen again through Saturday.

The officials say snow may also accumulate in the capital Tokyo if temperatures fall more than expected.

They are calling on people in wide areas of the country to be careful about possible disruptions to transportation, avalanches, gusts and power outages.