Heavy snow blanketed many parts of Japan on Friday, with some western cities renewing records and the weather agency warning of traffic disruptions, blizzard conditions and high waves.
The Meteorological Agency said it expected the rough weather to continue through Monday, moving from the country's north and east to the west.
Record snowfall was observed in Shikoku, with Kochi registering 14 centimeters and Tokushima 8 cm in the six hours to 10 a.m.
Other western cities, including Okuizumo in Shimane Prefecture and Kitahiroshima and Shobara in Hiroshima Prefecture saw more than 40 cm of snowfall.
Meanwhile, Engaru in Hokkaido renewed its December snowfall record by registering over 80 cm in a 24-hour period through Friday morning.
The weather agency warned the public in Ishikawa Prefecture in particular that they may be affected by severe traffic disruptions.
The prefectural capital Kanazawa saw 20 cm of snow by 8 a.m., with some bullet train services briefly disrupted at Kanazawa Station when snow blew against the platform doors.
The rough weather caused partial closures on the Doto, Hokuriku, Chugoku, Sanyo and Kyushu expressways, and delays in Tokaido and Sanyo line bullet train services.
Japan Airlines canceled 59 flights and All Nippon Airways canceled 41, affecting about 3,750 and 1,470 passengers, respectively. Many of the canceled flights were due to depart from or arrive at airports in areas on the Sea of Japan coast.
The weather agency said strong winter pressure patterns will impact Japan from Monday, with low atmospheric pressure moving eastward from the northern coast facing the Sea of Japan and southeast of Hokkaido.
It forecasts 100 cm of snowfall in parts of the Hokuriku region in the 24 hours through 6 a.m. Saturday, with 70 cm in the Tohoku, Tokai, and Chugoku regions, 60 cm in the Hokkaido and Kinki regions, and 50 cm in Shikoku.
