Snow storm batters Japan by Matt Taylor
A powerful winter storm hit Japan on Thursday, covering much of the country in a thick blanket of snow.
Flights were cancelled between Japan’s northern islands of Hokkaido and Honshu, leaving more than 6000 people stranded. Roads were closed and rail services disrupted, leading to travel chaos over the festive period.
In the city of Sapporo, 32cm (1 foot) of snow had fallen by Friday morning, and there is more to come over the next few days. Another storm system is forecast to pass to the north of Japan over the next few days, bringing moderate to heavy snow for many places.
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued several weather warnings for heavy snow, avalanches and high winds from Hokkaido in the north to Fukui prefecture in central Honshu. Warnings for high waves and gales were also issued for coastal regions of Hokkaido and Honshu.
Winters in northern Japan are particularly severe due to the cold outblowing winter monsoon. This often brings heavy snowfall as cold air from Siberia is warmed and picks up moisture as it tracks over the Sea of Japan.
