A typical winter weather pattern and a powerful cold air mass have driven down temperatures across Japan. Areas on the northern and central Sea of Japan coast had intermittent snow on Monday morning. Temperatures dropped below zero degrees Celsius from northern to western Japan. Early on Monday, the temperatures in Nakatonbetsu and Esashi towns in northern Hokkaido were around minus 30 degrees. Temperatures remain lower than average years by up to four degrees in the daytime across the country. Up to about 50 centimeters of snow fell in the Hokuriku region on the Sea of Japan coast during a 24-hour period. By Tuesday morning, about 40 centimeters more of snow is expected in northern and central regions facing the Sea of Japan. Akita City, along the Japan Sea coast, initiated the annual event to encourage residents to clear away snow together. In Izumi district, about 100 residents, including elementary and junior high school students, gathered to remove snow from their routes to and from school and from streets which are too narrow for snow ploughs.

• published: 13 Jan 2014
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