Weather officials in Japan are forecasting heavy snow in wide areas along the Sea of Japan coast later this week.

The Meteorological Agency said a winter pressure pattern brought snow mainly in areas along the Sea of Japan on Tuesday. In the 6 hours up to 6 p.m., 13 centimeters of snow fell in Hakuba in Nagano Prefecture, and 11 centimeters in Shirakawa, Gifu Prefecture.

The agency expects heavy snow until Friday in wide areas along the Sea of Japan from the northern to western parts of the country due to the effects of a strong cold air mass. It says snow is possible in flatland areas of the Shikoku region, along the Pacific Ocean.

In the 24 hours until Wednesday late afternoon, the officials forecast up to 70 centimeters of snow in Niigata and Gifu prefectures, as well as in the Hokuriku region.
Up to 50 centimeters of snow are expected in the Chugoku region, 40 centimeters in Tohoku, and 25 centimeters in Yamaguchi Prefecture and the Shikoku area.

The officials also say strong winds are possible over the sea in northern to western Japan.

They are calling on people to be on the alert for possible traffic disruptions due to heavy snowfalls.

The agency says many traffic accidents have been reported involving vehicles that did not have snow tires or tire chains. People are advised to check the latest weather information, and to use winter tires or chains when driving.