Rapid development of low pressure system on Hokkaido
Due to the effects of the rapidly developing low-pressure system, extremely strong winds have blown in northern Japan, causing blizzards in some places. There is a risk of a blizzard with no visibility, especially on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, on the 17th, so strict caution is required against storms, storms, and high waves.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a rapidly developing low-pressure system is moving westward through the Sea of Okhotsk, and the winds are intensifying over a wide area, especially in northern Japan.
The maximum instantaneous wind speed in each area is
▽ At Erimomisaki in Hokkaido, 44.9 meters around 11:00 am
▽ In Muroran City, Hokkaido, 35.5 meters around 8:20 am
▽ In Akita City, 30.9 meters around 8 am
▽ In Hakodate City, Hokkaido, it is 27.8 meters at 7:40 am.
Especially on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido until dawn on the 17th, there is a risk of blizzards and snowdrifts with no visibility at all, increasing the risk of so-called "whiteout".
Strict caution is required against blizzards, storms, and high waves.
The Sapporo District Meteorological Observatory is calling for refraining from going out with information about the Ishikari, Rumoi, and Kamikawa regions that "there is a risk of a blizzard once every few years." Snow will continue to fall around Friday, 19th, and in Niigata prefecture, it is expected to snow about 2 meters in 3 days, and there is a risk that the amount of snow will increase in various places. The Japan Meteorological Agency is wary of the impact of heavy snowfall on traffic and calls for careful attention to avalanches and snow accretion.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato said at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, "As of 8:00 am today, we have not received any reports of victims from the blizzard, but we are wary of traffic obstacles and damage to facilities due to blizzards and heavy snow, and from the roof. Please be careful about snowfalls and avalanches, as well as weather information and road traffic information. Especially on the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido, there is a risk of a blizzard once every few years. Please refrain from going out. I would like to ask you to do so. "
Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210215/k10012868841000.html