Heavy snow continued to blanket the Sea of Japan coast in northern Japan and the Hokuriku region on Saturday. The Japan Meteorological Agency said that the heavy snow was likely to continue at least until Wednesday, bringing a white Christmas to Akita, Niigata and Yamagata prefectures, as well as Hokkaido.
According to the Meteorological Agency, a cold air mass is lingering over northern Japan, bringing snowfall two to three times heavier than normal for December.
Meanwhile, police and emergency services have urged citizens to be careful when clearing snow from rooftops, NHK reported. Experts suggest that people should tie a lifeline around themselves when on the rooftop to prevent slipping. Residents should not clear snow by themselves and need to be careful of snow protruding over rooftops like eaves. Pedestrians are also urged to be aware that gutters covered in snow are dangerous.
© Japan Today
7 Comments
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The758
Coming from a place that used to be blanketed in snow and now living in a city that barely gets any, I miss it. I wouldn't mind shoveling lots of it: the beer'll taste better at the end of the day.
badsey3
Everybody knows that Santa won't come unless there is snow or ice on the roof. -So for kids 北へ this is obviously a good sign. Some are just worried that there could be too much snow and Santa might get stuck.
Harry_Gatto
No, the line reads "as well as" Hokkaido inferring that Hokkaido always has a white Xmas and, timeon didn't mention anything about cleaning roofs.
basroil
timeonDec. 23, 2012 - 12:22PM JST
Cleaning a roof is dangerous, you want to kill young adults so old people can have a clean roof?
basroil
This is the dumbest thing I've seen this week... We've had a meter or more of snow for weeks now in Hokkaido, and christmas-time is always white...
timeon
In a sense is good for the local communities that rely on winter sport activities in winter, but it's sure hell for the rest. The main problem is the advanced average age of the people living there, many lacking the physical power for daily snow cleaning. Maybe the government could set up a system, you go help the communities and then you get free lift tickets or something like this at the nearby ski resort. That's what many youngsters do in winter: help with a business (usually hotels) 4-5 days a week and get free accommodation and meals, to enjoy the remaining 2-3 days on the slopes (in weekdays the business is slow anyways).
Elbuda Mexicano
Sorry but looking at snow on TV, books or from an onsen is nice but having to live in that crap?? Sorry not my cup of tea! I do hope the old folk can survive another snowy winter.