Strong cold air moving south; warning level of heavy snowfall in the Tohoku region during the New Year holidays

2025/12/31 08:25

The area around Japan has a winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern, with snow and rain falling from the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan to Hokuriku.
From now on, winter-like atmospheric pressure patterns are expected to continue around Japan until January 2nd (Friday). Cold air with temperatures below -33c will flow into the Tohoku region at an altitude of 5,000m.
As a result, there are places in the Tohoku region that will experience heavy snowfall, and if the cold air in the upper atmosphere becomes stronger than expected, or if snow clouds that have developed continue to cover the same area, there is a possibility of heavy snowfall reaching warning level.

In the Tohoku region, from the afternoon of today, January 31st, to the late evening of tomorrow, January 1st (Thursday), please be careful of traffic disruptions due to heavy snow, falling snow from roofs, damage to buildings and agricultural facilities, etc., and be careful of snow accretion on power lines and trees, and avalanches.



#Forecasted amount of snow (in places with a lot of snow)
+Forecasted snowfall amount for 24 hours by dawn on January 1st (Thursday) tomorrow
Tohoku Sea of Japan side, along the mountains 70cm
Tohoku Sea of Japan side, flat land 50cm
Tohoku Pacific side, along the mountains 70cm
Tohoku Taihei Ocean side, flat land, 40cm
, 24-hour snowfall expected by dawn on January 2nd (Friday)
, Tohoku Sea of Japan side, along the mountains, 50cm
br Tohoku Sea of Japan side flat land 30cm
Tohoku Pacific side mountainside 40cm
Tohoku Pacific side flat land 20cm

Today's 31st (Wednesday) New Year's Eve weather Snow and rain from northern Japan to Hokuriku, sunny in many places on the Pacific side

2025/12/31 06:47

Today, the 31st (Wednesday), New Year's Eve, the area around Japan is expected to have a winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern, and strong cold air is expected to move southward in the upper atmosphere. The sky will be prone to snow and rain, mainly along the Sea of Japan side. It seems that there are many places on the Pacific side that will be dry and sunny.



There will be intermittent snow and rain from northern Japan to Hokuriku, mainly on the Sea of Japan side. It looks like there will be some places where the rain will become stronger temporarily. Please be careful of sudden increases in snowfall along the mountains. The winds are strong, and there are some places where it snows, especially along the coast, so you need to be careful about the deteriorating visibility.
Although there are many sunny places on the Pacific side of northern Japan, there is a possibility of snow showers, so please be careful of changes in the sky.

From the Kanto region to the west, sunlight will reach mainly on the Pacific side. As cold air flows into the sky, temperatures are expected to drop in many places compared to the previous day, even in sunny areas. It can get very cold at night, so if you are celebrating New Year's Eve outdoors, please take proper measures to protect yourself from the cold.
There are places on the Sea of Japan side of western Japan where it snows at night, so if you're going to get home late, it's a good idea to bring a folding umbrella.

Okinawa is likely to have a rainy New Year's Eve due to the effects of low pressure and humid air. Please bring rain gear when going out.

[New Year's Cold Wave] Warning-level heavy snowfall on the third day. Snow on the Pacific side as well. Affects U-turns. Can you see the first sunrise

2025/12/30 12:27

#Weather points for the year-end and New Year holidays#
+New Year's Eve~ Cold wave hits, 70 cm of snowfall expected in Tohoku
+3rd day Warning-level heavy snow on the Sea of Japan side
+2nd to 3rd: Snow also on the Pacific side, affecting U-turn legs
+On the first day Out: There are more chances on the Pacific side


Today, December 30th (Tuesday), a low pressure system with cold air is passing near Hokkaido,
There are many places on the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan and Hokuriku where it is snowing and raining.

On the other hand, the Pacific side is covered in high pressure and has many sunny days.

As warm air flows from the south toward the low pressure system to the north,
temperatures are expected to rise across the region.

Today's predicted maximum temperatures are Sapporo: 4c, Sendai: 13c,
Tokyo: 16c, Osaka/Hiroshima/Fukuoka: 15c, and Kochi: 17c.
In the daytime, the sun will feel warm.

In places like Sendai, Tokyo, and Osaka, it will be as warm as November.

However, by New Year's Eve tomorrow, the 31st (Wednesday), a strong cold wave from the north will move southward
and it will be replaced by mid-winter cold.



#New Year's Eve to New Year's Day: Warning-level heavy snowfall in northern Japan#
A low-pressure system is expected to develop as it moves northeast through the Sea of Okhotsk tomorrow, the 31st (Wednesday) and New Year's Eve.
A winter-like pressure pattern is expected to strengthen near Japan from New Year's Day to the 1st (Thursday).

Strong cold air is flowing into the skies above Japan,
with temperatures around 1500m above Sapporo expected to be below -19c, the coldest air of the season.

In the Tohoku region, there is a possibility that snow clouds will continue to develop in similar areas, and
there is a risk that the amount of snow will increase.


The expected 24-hour snowfall from noon on Wednesday the 31st to noon on January 1st is expected to be high in some places:
Along the mountains on the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku: 70 cm
On the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku Plain land: 50 cm
Tohoku Pacific side, along the mountains 70 cm
Tohoku Pacific side, flat land: 50 cm
After that, snowfall will continue, and snowfall is expected to increase further.

Be careful of traffic obstructions caused by heavy snow, snow falling from roofs,
damage to buildings and agricultural facilities, etc.
Be careful of snow accreting on power lines and trees, and avalanches.

Also, the wind will be strong and there will be snowstorms in some places.
Please be careful of poor visibility when driving.

Even on the sunny Pacific side, the wind is cold, and the cold weather typical of this time of year is expected to return.



#New Year's Day and the first three days will be stormy and will coincide with the U-turn rush#

The first wave of the New Year's cold wave is expected to remain near Japan until the third day.

On the Sea of Japan side, snow continues to fall in similar places, and there is a risk that snowfall will suddenly increase rapidly.

On New Year's Day, there is a possibility of heavy snow on the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku, and on the 2nd and 3rd in the San'in and Hokuriku regions.
Warning-level heavy snow is possible.

Also, from the 2nd (Friday) to the 3rd (Saturday), strong northerly winds will bring
snow clouds to the Pacific Ocean, and there are likely to be places in the Kinki, Tokai, and Kanto regions where it will snow.

Due to the combination of U-turn rush and heavy snowfall,
transportation may be significantly affected.

When going out, please check the latest weather and traffic information.



#4th (Sunday) to 5th (Monday)#

The New Year's cold wave is expected to have two large waves, the first wave is expected to arrive on the 3rd day, and the second wave is expected to arrive around the 4th (Sunday) to 5th (Monday).

The second wave will bring strong cold air in a westward direction, so it is likely that there will be snow and rain again in western Japan.

Also, there is a possibility of heavy snow or blizzard again mainly on the Sea of Japan side.

As snowfall increases rapidly on the Japan Sea side,
there is a risk of more accidents during snow removal, such as accidents while removing snow.

Also, heavy snowfall may affect transportation for a long period of time, so please be careful.



#You have a better chance of seeing the first sunrise on the Pacific side.#

This year, we are in the middle of a cold wave during the New Year period, but it looks like the weather will be clear mainly on the Pacific side of northern and eastern Japan, and there will be many places where you can see the first sunrise.

However, it can get quite cold in the morning, so if you are going to see the first sunrise of the year, please make sure to take proper measures to protect yourself from the cold and wind.

Today, the 30th (Tuesday), be careful of lightning and gusts in Hokuriku and Tohoku

2025/12/30 07:28

A low pressure system is moving northeast near Sakhalin. On the other hand, there is a
anticyclone over the sea south of Japan, which is slowly moving eastward.



Today, a trough of atmospheric pressure is expected to pass through northern Japan. Warm, humid air will flow towards this pressure trough and low pressure
, and cold air with a temperature of -30 degrees Celsius or below will flow into the air at an altitude of approximately 5,500 meters, resulting in extremely unstable atmospheric conditions on the Japan Sea side of the Hokuriku and Tohoku regions.
Please be careful of lightning, tornadoes, strong gusts of wind, hail, sudden heavy rain, etc.



The region west of the Kanto region is expected to be mostly sunny, but
the Okinawa region is likely to have clouds and intermittent rain.

[New Year's Cold Wave Invasion] Stormy weather on New Year's Day and the first three days of the year; heavy snow at warning level, affecting transportation

2025/12/29 14:13

#Weather points for the year-end and New Year holidays#
+New Year's Day: Intense cold wave hits, alarming heavy snowfall on the Sea of Japan side
+First sunrise visible on the Pacific side of northern and eastern Japan
+New Year's Day to the third day of the month Heavy snow continues, affecting U-turn legs



Today, December 29th (Monday), the area around Honshu is gently covered by high pressure

It is sunny in many places.

However, a low pressure system is expected to approach Hokkaido tonight, and a weak front (pressure trough) extending from the low pressure system is expected to pass near Honshu.

For this reason, after today's evening,
there will be many places on the Japan Sea side where it will snow and rain.




#Tomorrow 30th (Tuesday)#
Tomorrow 30th (Tuesday), due to the influence of cold air in the upper atmosphere,
It will snow mainly along the mountains on the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan and Hokuriku,
It will rain in flat areas.

Although the rain may be strong in some places, accompanied by thunder,
the area of the rain is not expected to be very wide.

On the Pacific side, the weather is expected to be sunny and dry during the day.

Until tomorrow, the temperature will be high in various places due to the influence of warm air flowing in.
The temperature will rise to 16c in Tokyo, 15c in Osaka and Hiroshima, and 18c in Kochi,
The sun will feel warm during the day.




#New Year's Eve, Wednesday the 31st#
On New Year's Eve, the 31st (Wednesday), the area around Japan will have a winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern of
high in the west and low in the east, and
strong cold air will begin to flow in from the north.

Snow is expected to spread across the Sea of Japan and Hokuriku areas in northern Japan, and snow is expected to increase in many flat areas.

In Yamagata Prefecture, where the amount of snow is particularly high, there is a possibility of
warning-level heavy snow.

Also, the wind is strong, and there are likely to be snowstorms on the Sea of Japan side.

Even on the sunny Pacific side, the wind will feel cold.



#1st (Holiday/Thursday)/New Year's Day#
Compared to yesterday, the strength of the cold air on New Year's Day is expected to be even stronger.
The cold air above Sapporo on January 1st is expected to be -20c, the coldest air of the season.

Snow continues to fall on the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan and Hokuriku, and there is a possibility that snowfall will increase rapidly.

At the time of the first sunrise, it is expected that the skies will be clear mainly on the Pacific side of northern and eastern Japan, and
a beautiful sunrise can be seen.

The Sea of Japan side is covered with snow and rain clouds, and there are few places where you can see the first sunrise.

However, it will be quite cold in the morning, so if you are going to see the first sunrise of the year, please be sure to take precautions against the cold and wind.

#2nd (Friday) to 3rd (Saturday)#
The strong cold air in the sky will reach its peak from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day, and is expected to exceed its peak on the 2nd (Friday).
The strong winter-like pressure pattern will continue, and snow and strong winds are expected to continue on the Sea of Japan side.

There is a possibility of warning-level heavy snow in the San'in and Hokuriku regions.

Also, strong northerly winds are expected to temporarily bring snow and rain clouds to the Pacific Ocean.

There is a possibility that it will snow even on the Pacific side, where it doesn't usually snow, so
Please be careful when driving, especially if the roads are icy.

Around the 3rd (Saturday) of the new year, the "U-turn rush" begins for people returning from their hometowns.

U Turn rush and heavy snow may overlap, so
Please continue to pay attention to the latest weather and traffic information.

#4th (Sunday) - 5th (Monday)#
The winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern will continue, and strong cold air will flow in again around the 5th (Monday).
There is a possibility of heavy snow or blizzard again mainly on the Sea of Japan side.

This cold wave is expected to be the longest lasting cold wave this season.

As snowfall increases rapidly on the Sea of Japan side,
it is likely that there will be more accidents during snow removal, such as accidents while removing snow.

Also, long-term heavy snowfall may affect transportation for a long time, so please be careful.

Weekly weather: Strong cold air is expected to remain in the sky from now on. Be careful of the impact of snow on traffic during the year-end and New Year holidays

2025/12/29 08:24

From now on, winter-like atmospheric pressure patterns are expected to continue around Honshu, and strong cold air will remain in the upper atmosphere. There will continue to be snowy days, especially from northern Japan to western Japan on the Sea of Japan side.




Tomorrow, the 30th (Tuesday), the area around Honshu will gradually become winter-like, with high pressure in the west and low pressure in the east. Looking at the forecast for cold air at an altitude of approximately 1,500 meters above the ground, it is predicted that strong cold air will move south toward the Sea of Japan region on the night of the 30th. In northern Japan, it is likely that snow will become heavier in some places from the night of the 30th tomorrow. On New Year's Eve, the 31st (Wednesday), snow is expected to spread from northern Japan to the Sea of Japan side of Hokuriku, with localized areas of heavy snowfall expected.




Looking at the forecast weather map after that, it is expected that the pressure pattern around Honshu will continue to be high in the west and low in the east from New Year's Eve on the 31st (Wednesday) until around the 5th when work begins. During this time, strong cold air will be present around 1,500 meters above Honshu, and snowy days will continue for a long time, mainly on the Sea of Japan side. Particularly in northern Japan, the cold air, which is a sign of heavy snowfall, will remain for a long time even in flat areas, so there is a risk of heavy snowfall and further increase in snowfall. Snow will also fall along the mountains of the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions, and it is likely that the snow will become heavier in some areas.

It is possible that the timing of the heavy snowfall coincides with the timing of returning home or U-turn rush. If you have plans to return home or travel during the New Year holidays, be sure to pay attention not only to the latest weather information, but also to check the latest traffic information frequently. Also, if you are driving, please be aware of the road conditions.

In case you get stranded, we recommend that you prepare as much as possible with warm clothing such as cold weather gear and blankets, water, emergency food, mobile batteries, and equipment such as shovels and boots for snow removal.

Today, the 29th (Sunday), a trough of atmospheric pressure approaches the Sea of ??Japan side; Northern Japan should be careful of avalanches and falling snow due to melting snow.

2025/12/29 07:03

Today, near Honshu, the high pressure system is gradually moving away to the eastern ocean, and the area on the Sea of Japan side is gradually approaching a trough of pressure. Rain clouds accompanied the trough in the atmospheric pressure near the Izu Islands and the Nansei Islands, and in some places in the Sakishima Islands, heavy rain was observed in the early morning hours.




As the atmospheric pressure trough approaches, cold air will move northward, resulting in rain instead of snow in many places in northern Japan. It looks like there will be some places along the mountains where it will snow. In areas with heavy snowfall, the snow may melt and road conditions may deteriorate. Please be careful of snow falling from the roof and avalanches.

In the coastal areas of the Kanto region, due to the influence of the atmospheric pressure trough, it will rain mainly in the morning, and in some parts of Chiba Prefecture there will be snow. However, the rain and snow will only last for a short time, and in many places the weather will improve by the afternoon.



Clouds will gradually spread over Hokuriku, San'in, and northern Kyushu, and there will be places with rain and thunderstorms. Atmospheric conditions will become unstable, especially in the coastal areas of Hokuriku, making it easier for thunderclouds to develop. Please be careful of lightning, tornadoes, gusts of wind, hail, etc.

Okinawa will be covered in persistent rain clouds, and it will rain on and off. It is likely that there will be heavy rain with localized thunderstorms. Please be careful about how it rains.

It is expected to be sunny in many places on the Pacific side west of the Tokai Sea. Temperatures are expected to be higher than yesterday (Saturday, the 28th) in many places, with some places in western Japan expected to reach around 15 degrees Celsius during the day. In sunny areas, the air is dry, so please be careful when handling sources of fire.

[New Year's Cold Wave] Where can you see the first sunrise of the year There is a risk of stormy weather due to U-turn rush

2025/12/28 14:24

#Weather tips for the year-end and New Year holidays#
+New Year's Eve~ Cold wave hits, heavy snow and blizzard on the Sea of Japan side
+First sunrise, better chance to see it on the Pacific side
+Around January 3rd to 4th: ``Winter storm'' on the Pacific side as well with snow
+U-turn rush: Stronger snow and wind, affecting transportation



Today, December 28th (Sunday), the area around Japan is covered by a mobile high pressure system, and
the winter-like pressure pattern that has continued in northern Japan is loosening.

Although the area of snow falling on the Japan Sea side of northern Japan is becoming narrower,
road conditions will continue to be poor due to the snow that has fallen so far, so please continue to use caution when driving.

#Tomorrow 29th (Monday) - 30th (Tuesday)#
A low pressure system is approaching Hokkaido, and a front (pressure trough) extending from the low pressure system is expected to pass near Honshu.

In the afternoon of tomorrow, the 29th (Monday), rain and snow will fall from the San'in area to the Sea of Japan side of Hokkaido.
Snow and rain are expected to continue on the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku and Hokuriku until the 30th (Tuesday).

On the other hand, many places on the Pacific side are covered by high pressure, and the winter weather is likely to continue.
As the air continues to dry, please be careful when handling fire.

#31st (Wednesday) New Year's Eve#
The area around Japan is expected to have a winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern of high in the west and low in the east.

Gradually, strong cold air will begin to flow into the sky, and a "New Year's cold wave" will arrive.

Snow and rain continue on the Sea of Japan side and Hokuriku in northern Japan,
winds are also increasing, and there are likely to be snowstorms in some places in northern Japan.

Please be careful of poor visibility when driving.

#January 1, 2026 (holiday), New Year's Day#
On New Year's Day, the winter-like air pressure pattern will continue, just as it did on New Year's Eve, and cold air will remain in the sky above
.

Snow and rain are expected to continue on the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan and Hokuriku.



At the time of the first sunrise, the Pacific side of northern and western Japan will be clear, and it seems that there will be many places where the first sunrise can be seen, mainly on the
Pacific side.

The Sea of Japan side is covered with snow and rain clouds, and there are likely to be fewer places where you can see the first sunrise of the year.


#2nd (Friday)#
Although a high pressure system is protruding from the continent, snow and rain are expected to continue on the Sea of Japan side due to the strong cold air above
.

In addition, there is a possibility that the JPCZ (Japan Sea Polar Air Mass Convergence Zone) will be directed towards the San'in region, northern Kinki region, and Hokuriku region.

On the Sea of Japan side, snow continues to fall in the same places for a long time,
It seems that there will be places where the snowfall will increase all at once.

Meanwhile, winter skies will continue on the Pacific side of western and eastern Japan.

#3rd (Sat)#
On the third day of the year, the winter-like atmospheric pressure distribution will become stronger,
more cold air will flow in than during the year-end and New Year holidays, and the Winter Shogun is likely to start in earnest.

Heavy snow and blizzard will occur mainly on the Sea of Japan side,
There will also be places on the Pacific side of the Pacific Ocean such as Kyushu, Shikoku, Kinki, and Tokai.

There is a possibility that it will snow even on the Pacific side, where it doesn't usually snow, so it is thought that
car slip accidents will be more likely to occur.

When driving, please be careful of traffic obstacles such as frozen roads.

#4th (Sunday)#
The Winter General is here to stay, and the strong winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern is expected to continue.

The rough weather with heavy snow and blizzards will continue mainly on the Sea of Japan side, and snow and rain is also expected on the Pacific side.

Even if it's sunny, the north wind will blow quite strongly and it will be bitterly cold.

Around 3rd to 4th of the new year, there will be a "U-turn rush" for people returning from their hometowns.

U Turn rush and stormy weather may overlap, so
Please continue to pay attention to the latest weather and traffic information.

Tokyo falls below freezing for the first time this season, with temperatures rising in various places during the day compared to the previous day

2025/12/28 06:59

Kesa is becoming increasingly cold in various places due to the effects of cold air in the upper atmosphere and radiation cooling. In central Tokyo, the temperature was recorded at -0.3c at 05:40, the first sub-zero temperature of the season, making it extremely cold.

During the day, the area around Honshu will be covered in high pressure, and the cold air in the upper atmosphere will recede. Compared to yesterday (27th), the temperature is rising in many places, and the cold seems to be a little less severe.



The predicted maximum temperature is Sapporo 0c, Sendai 8c, Tokyo 11c, Nagoya 11c, Kanazawa 11c, Osaka 11c, Kochi 14c, and Fukuoka 11c.
The temperature will be typical for this time of year in various parts of Japan, and in eastern and western Japan, the wind will be weak and it will feel warm under the sunshine.
The weather will be perfect for cleaning, so the work will be done quickly.

Please take care of your health as there is a large difference in temperature between morning and evening and during the day.

Weather for today, the 28th (Sunday): The weather is improving on the Sea of ??Japan side, and the Pacific side is also calm and sunny.

2025/12/28 06:28

Today, the 28th (Sunday), a migratory high pressure system will move near Honshu, and the weather on the Sea of Japan side will also start to improve. It is expected to be sunny in many places on the Pacific side.



The Japan Sea side of northern Japan and Hokuriku will experience snow and rain mainly in the morning. In Hokkaido, there are places in northern Hokkaido where snowstorms occur, so be careful of poor visibility. The weather is expected to improve in many places in the afternoon.
There is also a possibility of showers and snow in the morning on the Pacific side of northern Japan. Please pay attention to changes in the sky.

Eastern and western Japan will have sunny skies in many places, especially on the Pacific side. The weather will be mild and sunny during the day, and it looks like the cleaning will be in full swing.

The sky in Okinawa is probably not clear due to the humid air. Even if there is time for sunshine, there is a chance of rain showers, so be careful.