Weather officials expect heavy snowfall in wide areas of Japan, especially in regions along the Sea of Japan coast.

The Meteorological Agency says snow has been falling mainly in mountainous areas along the Sea of Japan coast due to a winter pressure pattern and a strong cold air mass.

In the 24 hours through 4 a.m. Thursday, 53 centimeters of snow fell in Gifu Prefecture's Shirakawa Village; Nishiaizu Town in Fukushima Prefecture observed 48 centimeters; and 47 centimeters was recorded in the Sumon district of Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture.

The agency forecasts heavy snow mainly on the Sea of Japan side of northern to western Japan through Friday, including flatland areas.

In the 24 hours through Friday morning, up to 80 centimeters is expected in Niigata Prefecture; 70 centimeters in the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions and Gifu Prefecture; 60 centimeters in Hokkaido and the Chugoku region; 50 centimeters in the Kinki region; 40 centimeters in Nagano and Yamaguchi prefectures; and 30 centimeters in the northern part of the Kanto region.

Officials say snow will accumulate even in areas that usually don't get much snow. Snowfall of up to 30 centimeters is expected in Shikoku and 10 centimeters in northern Kyushu in the 24 hours through Friday morning.

The officials are calling on people to be on the alert for traffic disruptions caused by snow accumulation and blizzards. They are also warning of snow falling from roofs, avalanches and power outages due to snow buildup on power lines and trees.