Strongest cold wave of the season and effects of JPCZ continue; Beware of traffic problems on the 23rd How long will heavy snow and bitter cold last?
December 22, 2023 18:05
Due to this season’s strongest cold wave and JPCZ, snowfall will increase even in flat areas in the Hokuriku region late into the night of Friday the 22nd. There is a growing fear that large-scale traffic disruptions will occur, and vigilance is required. There will be heavy snow in some places on the 23rd (Saturday), mainly on the Sea of Japan side.
Record heavy snowfall
Today, the 22nd (Friday), a cold wave comparable to mid-winter is flowing into the skies near Japan, and heavy snow is falling from northern Japan to western Japan, mainly on the Sea of Japan side.
The maximum 24-hour snowfall was 73 centimeters (until 5 p.m.) in Iwamizawa City in the Sorachi region of Hokkaido, setting a new record for the highest snowfall in history. In Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the height was 53 cm (until 3:00 pm), which is the highest value recorded in December.
As of 5:30 p.m., snow is still falling heavily in the Hokuriku region, where active snow clouds from the Japan Sea Polar Air Mass Convergence Zone (JPCZ)* are flowing. Heavy snow continued to fall in the Hokuriku region late into the night of the 22nd (Friday), raising the possibility of large-scale traffic disruptions even in flat areas. Strict vigilance must be taken against traffic disturbances.
*The Japan Sea Polar Air Mass Convergence Zone (JPCZ) is a region where the cold winds flowing from the Siberian continent are once bisected by the Changbai Mountains (highest peak: Mt. Paekdu, 2,744 meters) located in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, and the leeward area of Japan is the JPCZ. This is a convergence zone (line where snow clouds are likely to develop) that is formed when they meet again at the sea. JPCZ makes it easier for snow clouds to develop, and when these snow clouds flow one after another, they often turn into heavy snow.
Warning for heavy snow until Saturday 23rd
Strong cold air will flow into the skies near Japan into the 23rd (Saturday), and winter-like atmospheric pressure patterns are expected to continue. From northern Japan to western Japan, there will be heavy snow in some places, mainly along the Sea of Japan side, until the 23rd (Saturday).
Heavy snowfall is expected in the 24 hours up to 6pm on Saturday the 23rd.
Hokuriku region: 70cm
Hokkaido region, Tohoku region, Kanto-Koshin region, Tokai region, Kinki region: 50 cm
Chugoku region: 40cm
Please be alert for traffic disruptions due to snowfall and frozen roads. There are some places where power is out, but the area may spread further. It’s a good idea to have something warm and a flashlight handy. Please also keep your smartphone charged.
Snowfall will gradually weaken during the day on the 24th (Sunday).
How long will the severe cold last?
The severe cold will continue on Saturday the 23rd. It looks like it will be bitterly cold in the morning. The maximum temperature will also be lower than normal in many places, and Sapporo will be in the middle of winter at -3℃. Temperatures in Sendai and Niigata are expected to reach 4℃, similar to mid-winter. The temperature in central Tokyo will be 10℃, and Nagoya, Osaka, and Fukuoka will not reach 10℃.
After the 24th (Sunday), both the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be near normal in many places, and after the 27th (Wednesday), many places are likely to be higher than normal. The cold will gradually ease.
Stuck on a snowy road – be careful of carbon monoxide poisoning
If you are stranded on a snowy road, be careful of carbon monoxide poisoning.
As a general rule, turn off the engine when your car is covered in snow. If the muffler becomes buried in snow, exhaust gases may flow back into the vehicle and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Even if you open the windows to ventilate the room, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning may increase depending on conditions such as the amount of window opening and wind direction.
If you have to start the engine due to cold weather, etc., be sure to remove snow from around the muffler to prevent it from getting buried in snow. When driving on snowy roads, it’s a good idea to have a shovel for snow removal, warm clothing, and blankets in your car just in case.
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2023-12-22 09:05:19
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