TOKYO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Japan's weather agency said heavy snow and strong winds are expected across a wide swath of the country through Monday, warning of possible disruptions in transportation.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), a low-pressure system is expected to develop rapidly on Saturday while moving to the northern part of the Sea of Japan, bringing stormy weather with strong winds, mainly along the Sea of Japan coast.
Winds could reach 82.8 km per hour in the Hokuriku and Chugoku regions on Saturday, and 72 km per hour in Niigata and Yamaguchi prefectures and in the northern Kyushu region, the JMA said.
A winter-type pressure pattern is likely to intensify on Sunday and Monday, bringing extremely cold air, with heavy snow expected over wide areas, it added.
The JMA expects snowfall of up to 100 cm in northeastern Tohoku and up to 50 cm in parts of Hokuriku and Chugoku in the 24-hour period from Saturday evening through Sunday evening.
Weather officials urged people to be alert for heavy snow and blizzards, strong winds and high waves, as well as avalanches and power outages.
Monday is a national holiday in Japan. The government called for public vigilance as public transportation could be affected over the three-day weekend. ■