Japan Prepares for Significant Snowfall as JMA Issues Warnings for Sea of Japan Coast

Heavy Snowfall Expected Across Sea of Japan Side

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued warnings for significant snowfall expected to impact regions along the Sea of Japan side from Sunday, January 11, through Monday, January 12, 2026. A strong cold surge is forecast to move over Honshu, intensifying a winter pressure pattern and bringing warning-level accumulations of snow. Regional observatories indicate that five-day snowfall totals could exceed 160 percent of seasonal averages, a rare occurrence for this time of year.

Affected Regions and Accumulation Forecasts

The areas most likely to experience heavy snowfall include the Hokuriku and Tohoku regions, as well as northern Nagano, Gunma, and the mountain areas of Gifu Prefecture. Specific prefectures within these regions, such as Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui in Hokuriku, and Aomori, Goshogawara, Hirosaki, Sukayu, Akita, and Yamagata in Tohoku, are expected to be particularly affected. Under JMA criteria, 'heavy snow' corresponds to a five-day accumulation reaching 164 percent or more of the climatological mean. In parts of Tohoku, potential event totals could range from 50 to 120 centimeters (20–47 inches).

Context: Early January Traffic Paralysis

This upcoming weather event follows a severe snowstorm in early January that led to widespread traffic disruption. On January 2–3, 2026, approximately 3,000 vehicles became immobilized over a 23-kilometer (14-mile) stretch of the Sanyō Expressway between Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefectures in western Japan. The congestion was attributed to vehicles losing traction on gradients and blocking lanes, compounded by rapid snow accumulation. The JMA had previously issued heavy-snow advisories for the Sanyō region before this incident.

Warnings and Preparedness

The JMA's 'early attention information' is issued when the probability of such anomalies exceeds 30%, indicating an event that occurs roughly once in ten years for that calendar window. Beyond heavy snow, warnings also include the potential for strong winds, blizzards, high waves, lightning, and possible tornadoes. Authorities are urging residents and travelers to exercise caution and prepare for potential disruptions to transportation, including trains, flights, and road travel. There is also a risk of avalanches and power outages. The public is advised to monitor the latest weather and traffic information closely and plan accordingly.