Snowfall records broken in Hokkaido, Japan
Snowfall records broken in Hokkaido, Japan

Hokkaido, Japan – Record-breaking snowfall fell on Japan’s northern main island of Hokkaido has caused ski resorts around the cities of Obihiro and Kushiro to suspend operations as they could not keep up with the sudden influx of precipitation.

The Hokkaido prefectural government reports record-breaking snowfall of 4+ feet had fallen in just 12 hours in Obihiro. The Japan Meteorological Agency reports two powerful low pressure systems are moving on both sides of the Japanese archipelago, delivering a cold air blast to Hokkaido. The low pressure system will continue to bring blizzards to parts of northern Japan for the next five days.

The agency predicted up to 3.2 feet of snowfall in northwestern Japan and 50 centimeters 1.6 feet more snowfall in Hokkaido over the next 24 hours through Wednesday evening.

The prefecture reports many highways and roads were closed, train service in affected areas have been suspended, airports have cancelled flights (see planes buried below) and even the ski resorts in the region had to close.

The severe snow event coincides with the start of the 75 annual Sapporo Snow Festival in southern Hokkaido. The festival is not in the affect area but visitors may feel the effects from the broader impact on the northern island.

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