Weather officials say that a strong winter pressure pattern will intensify beginning Sunday night through Tuesday in the areas in central Japan that were stricken by the New Year's Day earthquake.

They say the low pressure with a front is forecast to pass over the areas causing unstable atmospheric conditions.

Very strong winds and rough seas are expected in northern and eastern parts of Japan beginning Sunday night.

Maximum winds of 72 kilometers per hour are forecast in the Hokuriku region where most of the quake-stricken areas are concentrated. The same prediction has been made for neighboring Niigata Prefecture.

For Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, weather officials expect winds of 64.8 kilometers per hour.

Gusts up to 108 kilometers per hour are expected in all of these areas.

Rain is forecast on Sunday night which will gradually turn to snow.

Northern and eastern parts of Japan, mainly in the areas facing the Sea of Japan, could have heavy snow.

During the 24 hours through Monday morning, a maximum of 30 centimeters of snow is expected in the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions, 20 centimeters in Niigata Prefecture, 15 centimeters in the Hokuriku region and 10 centimeters in the Kanto-Koshin region.

And the following 24 hours till Tuesday morning, 60 to 80 centimeters of snow could fall in Niigata Prefecture, 40 to 60 centimeters in the Hokkaido, Tohoku and Kanto-Koshin regions and 30 to 50 centimeters in the Hokuriku region.

Traffic can be affected by blizzards and drifting snow. Caution is advised for very strong winds and high waves.

Soil has been loosened in the areas affected by the quake and even a small amount of rain could trigger a landslide.

Weather officials are warning that buildings which were damaged by the quake could give way under the weight of accumulated snow.

They are calling on residents to be on the lookout for any structural abnormalities in their houses.