Japanese weather officials are warning of snowstorms in northern Japan and areas along the Sea of Japan through Thursday.

The Meteorological Agency says a low-pressure system and a front brought rain to much of northern and eastern Japan on Tuesday. It's currently snowing in Hokkaido, the Tohoku region and mountainous areas of the Kanto region.

Agency officials say the winter pressure pattern will strengthen over northern Japan and the Hokuriku region along the Sea of Japan. They say the season's most powerful cold air mass will move in over these areas.

This will bring snow-carrying gale-force winds through Thursday.

The southern Tohoku and Hokuriku regions could have localized heavy snow from Wednesday afternoon.

Strong winds of over 80 kilometers per hour are expected in wide areas, including western Japan, through Wednesday. Gusts of over 120 kilometers per hour are also expected in some regions.

Weather officials are urging people along the Sea of Japan to be on the alert for strong winds and high waves.

They are also calling on people in northern Japan and the Hokuriku region to remain vigilant for snowstorms and snowdrifts, which could affect traffic.