Sea surface temperatures are higher than normal in the east of Japan, and drift ice is moving south in the Sea of ??Okhotsk [Ocean summary January 25-31, 2026]

2026/02/04 16:55

Abashiri City, Hokkaido, announced on January 22nd that the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk was visible to the naked eye from land.

Starting this season, the observation point has been changed to the city's tourist facility Okhotsk Ryuhyokan, so a simple comparison cannot be made, but
this year's observation date was the same as the average for the past 30 years,
24 days earlier than last year, which was the slowest since statistics began in 1946.

At the end of January, the drift ice is moving further south and you can see that it is approaching the shore.



# Pressure distribution and waves
From the 25th to the 26th, winter-like pressure distribution continued.
In the southern part of Kanto near the low pressure system and front, there were large wave heights of more than 6 meters.

From the 27th to the 29th, a low pressure system accompanied by a front moved from south of Kyushu, through south of Japan, and then east of Japan.
The low pressure system did not develop much, and the waves on the Pacific side did not increase that much.
In the waters of Japan, winds were strong from the north, and the waves rose to around 3m in height.

A strong winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern continued from the 29th to the 31st.
Wave heights were around 3m in wide areas of the Japanese sea area,
Wave heights of over 4m on the Pacific side were observed in areas east of Kanto, mainly on the 30th.
On the 31st, a low pressure system accompanied by a front formed in the Nansei Islands and moved eastward.
Wave height in the East China Sea is around 3m.



#Sea surface temperature
Sea surface temperatures in the Japanese waters continue to be at or below normal in the northern region.
In the central and western regions, sea areas remained at or slightly above normal.
The East China Sea continues to be at or slightly above normal levels.
The southern part of Japan was at a normal level, and the sea area from the Tokai coast to the Kanto coast continued to be slightly lower than normal.
Off the coast of Sanriku, the sea area continued to be higher than normal or significantly higher, with temperatures up to 4 C higher than normal.
The temperature off the southeast coast of Hokkaido was higher than normal, or significantly higher, with a maximum of 3 C higher.
In the Sea of Okhotsk, sea ice (black shaded area) is moving south.

From today until around Friday it will be warm like spring, but on Saturday and Sunday it will be cold like mid-winter.

2026/02/04 14:35

Today, the 4th (Wednesday), the area around Japan is covered in high pressure, and many places are sunny. On the other hand, rain and snow are falling in parts of Tohoku on the Sea of Japan side, where humid air flows.
After this, warm air will flow in from the south until the 6th (Friday), causing temperatures to rise above normal, resulting in widespread spring warmth.



From the 4th (Wednesday) to the 6th (Friday), the temperature will be around 15c in the Kyushu-Kanto-Koshin region, and around 10c in the Hokuriku-Tohoku region, making it as warm as mid-to-late March.
In areas with heavy snowfall, please be careful of avalanches and falling snow due to rising temperatures through the 6th (Friday).



Winter-like pressure patterns are expected to strengthen again over the weekend from the 7th (Saturday) to the 8th (Sunday), and strong cold air is expected to flow in. Therefore, the weather will change from the cheerful weather of spring to the coldness of mid-winter.



Due to the influence of a low pressure system developing in the waters near the Chishima Islands from the 6th (Friday) to the 7th (Saturday), there is a risk of heavy snow and strong winds, especially in northern Japan, resulting in severe storms.
As strong cold air moves south into the 8th (Sunday), the area of snow will expand.
There is a risk of warning-level heavy snow and blizzard in Hokkaido, especially from the 6th (Friday) to the 7th (Saturday).
Also, on the 7th (Saturday), snow clouds will move southward and by the 8th (Sunday), there is a risk of heavy snowfall reaching warning levels from the Sanin area to the Sea of Japan side of Tohoku.
Please be careful of traffic obstacles.

On the 8th (Sunday), there is a risk of snow even in the Kanto region due to the influence of cold air moving southward in the upper atmosphere and a low pressure system moving south of Japan. Please pay attention to the latest information.
Please be careful of the temperature difference.

Typhoon No. 2 is expected to pass through Cebu Island in the Philippines, but there will be no impact on Japan [Tropical cyclone information]

2026/02/04 12:05

As of 9 a.m. today, Wednesday, April 4, the Japan Meteorological Agency has announced that the tropical cyclone currently developing in the Caroline Islands is expected to develop into a typhoon within 12 hours.



When a typhoon occurs next, it will be called "Typhoon No. 2." This will be the first typhoon in about three weeks since Typhoon Nocaen, which occurred on January 15th (Thursday) last month.
It looks like this will be the first typhoon to occur in February.

#Tropical cyclone Today 4th (Wednesday) 9:00 a.m.
Area of existence: Carolin Islands
Center location: 9 degrees 10 minutes north latitude, 133 degrees 10 minutes east longitude
Movement west 10 km/h
Central pressure 1002 hPa
Maximum wind speed 15 m/s (near the center)
Maximum instantaneous wind speed 23 m/s

This tropical cyclone, which formed at 9:00 pm yesterday, Tuesday, March 3, has the potential to strengthen and develop into a typhoon.
This tropical cyclone is expected to move east of Mindanao Island and develop into a typhoon at 9pm today, Wednesday, April 4th.
It will move westward from the east of Mindanao until 9 a.m. on the 5th (Thursday), and will reach the Philippines by 9 a.m. on the 6th (Friday) the next day.
Then, it will change its course to the northwest, passing over Cebu Island in the Philippines, and is expected to turn into a tropical cyclone in the Sulu Sea by 9 a.m. on the 7th (Saturday).
There will be no impact on Japan.
If you are planning to travel to the Philippines, please keep an eye on the latest information.

Looking at the average number of typhoons from January to March, it is the period with the lowest number of typhoons in the year, at 0.3 per month.



Furthermore, even if a typhoon occurs, it never approaches the Japanese archipelago, and since statistics began, there has been no record of a typhoon approaching from January to March.

Record-breaking heavy snowfall on the Sea of ??Japan side; some places on the Pacific side had 0 mm of precipitation; Saturday and Sunday were bitterly cold, with "alarm-level heavy snow" again on the Sea of ??Japan side

2026/02/03 12:57

#Weekly weather points#
4th (Wednesday) to 6th (Friday) Temperature rise Be careful of sudden snow melt!
7th (Sat) - 8th (Sun) Intense cold air hits, snowfall increases again on the Japan Sea side
Possibility of snow in Kanto on 7th (Sat)



Snow depth (compared to normal) as of 11am today, February 3rd (Tuesday).

Sapporo City had 99 centimeters of snow, 148% of normal snowfall, and Aomori City had 175 centimeters of snow, 254% of normal snowfall.

Also, at 1 a.m. today, 139 centimeters of snow was recorded in Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture, and at 2 a.m., 144 centimeters were recorded in Takanosu, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture, both of which recorded the heaviest amount of snow since statistics began in 1979.

Record heavy snowfall is occurring in various places.



Looking at the precipitation in Sapporo and Aomori over the past 30 days,
the precipitation is about twice the normal amount.
(Snow is measured as precipitation after melting)

On the other hand, due to the continued winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern on the Pacific side,
almost no rain or snow fell, and the precipitation for the previous 30 days
on the Pacific side was 0 mm (0% of normal) in many places.

Snow clouds and rain clouds tend to flow in from the Sea of Japan side
Nagoya and Kyoto have also reached 0mm,
The Pacific side is widely dry.

As the air continues to be dry, we need to be careful when handling fire.



#4th (Wednesday) - 6th (Friday) Temperature rise Be careful of sudden snow melt! #

From tomorrow, the 4th (Wednesday), the atmospheric pressure will be high in the south and low in the north, and warm air will tend to flow into
6th (Friday).

Temperatures are expected to rise day by day in the second half of the week, and
where there is a lot of snow, the snow is expected to melt rapidly.

We would like to proceed with the snow removal work while the snow has weakened and the weather is sunny, but
there is a possibility that the snow that has accumulated on the roof will fall all at once.

The number of accidents during snow removal has also increased considerably.
Remove snow with multiple people and avoid walking under the eaves.



#7th (Saturday) - 8th (Sunday) Intense cold air hits Heavy snow on the Sea of Japan side, snow in the Kanto region#

On Saturday and Sunday, strong cold air will flow in again, and the snow will become heavier on the Sea of Japan side again.

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

Also, there is a possibility that a front or low pressure system will move eastward to the south of Japan,
There is also a possibility of snow falling on the Pacific side.

There is a possibility of snow or rain especially on Saturday the 7th, especially in the southern Kanto region, so
Please pay attention to the latest information.




Finally, the weekly weather.

Towards the latter half of the week, there are likely to be days when temperatures will exceed average and feel warmer.

However, intense cold air will move in on Saturday and Sunday,
and it is expected to be bitterly cold across the country.
Please be careful not to get sick due to the temperature difference.

Fukuoka also has a snow symbol.
Please be aware of the impact on transportation.

Weather for the week: In areas with heavy snowfall, be careful of sudden snow melting due to rising temperatures; strong cold will return to the south on Saturday and Sunday

2026/02/03 08:02

From tomorrow, the 4th (Wednesday) to the 6th (Friday), cold air will retreat northward over Honshu, making it easier for warm air to enter from the south. Temperatures are expected to be higher than normal in many places, and some places will experience warmth around mid-to-late March. The cold will ease, but in areas with heavy snowfall, the rise in temperature may cause the snow to melt quickly.
In areas with heavy snowfall, please be careful of deteriorating road conditions, snow falling from roofs, and avalanches.




A low-pressure system is expected to develop and advance over the Sea of Japan from the 5th (Thursday) to the 6th (Friday). As a result, there is a risk of stormy weather on the 6th (Friday), with increased snow, rain, and strong winds, especially in northern Japan.
Also, as the low pressure system passes through the Sea of Japan and advances through the Sea of Okhotsk, the area around Honshu will become winter-like, and strong cold air in the upper atmosphere will move southward. The mid-winter cold is returning nationwide, and the temperature is likely to fluctuate significantly.

Around the 7th and 8th, it is likely that there will be rain and snow in places from western Japan to the Pacific side of eastern Japan due to the effects of pressure troughs and fronts. On the Sea of Japan side, there is a risk of heavy snow and blizzards due to the winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern with strong cold air.
Please pay attention to the latest weather information that will be updated in the future.

Today's weather on the 3rd (Tuesday): The winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern is expected to ease, and snow is expected to settle down on the Sea of Japan side

2026/02/03 06:52

Today, the 3rd (Tuesday), which marks Setsubun, the winter-like atmospheric pressure will gradually loosen. The snow on the Sea of Japan side is expected to calm down little by little.

On the Sea of Japan coast from northern Japan to the Sanin area, snow will fall mainly in the morning. In northern Japan, there are likely to be some places where the snow will temporarily become stronger and cause a blizzard. In the afternoon, the snowfall will gradually become smaller and will stop in many places by tonight.

The area west of the Kanto region on the Pacific Ocean side is sunny and sunny, but the northerly wind is likely to feel cold. Be sure to take all possible measures to protect yourself from the cold. Also, since the air will remain dry, please be careful when handling fire.



Tomorrow, the 4th (Wednesday), the area around Honshu will be covered by high pressure, making it easier for warm air to enter from the south. Temperatures near Honshu are expected to be higher than normal in many places around the 6th (Friday). However, in areas with heavy snowfall, snow melting is likely to progress as temperatures rise.
Please be careful of deteriorating road conditions, falling snow from roofs, and avalanches. In addition, please be very careful to avoid accidents while removing snow, and when removing snow from the roof, please wear safety ropes and helmets and use multiple people to remove snow from the roof.

Tonight is a full moon.February's full moon is a snow moon.I'm curious about the weather tonight.

2026/02/02 16:30

Today, February 2nd (Monday), there is a full moon.
February's full moon is called the "snow moon."
It is said that Native Americans gave each full moon a name to use as a guide for farming and hunting.
February came to be called the ``Snow Moon'' because it was a time when the United States was covered in snow and hunting was difficult depending on the region and climate conditions.



#What's the weather like tonight
The area around Japan has a winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern.
Okinawa is covered in high pressure at night and becomes clear, so the later the night, the better your chances of observing it.
There are times when it rains or snows in Kyushu, Sanyo, Shikoku, and the southern Kinki region, but if it's late at night, you'll have a chance to observe through the gaps in the clouds.
There is a high possibility of observation along the Pacific coast.



Tonight, a low pressure system will advance near Hokuriku, and it will be difficult to observe the full moon due to snow and rain in the Sanin area, northern Kinki, and Hokuriku.
In the Tokai region, there are places in Gifu Prefecture where it snows, but there are many other places where it will be sunny and observable.
Off the coast of Kanto, clouds are expected to form as northerly winds and westerly winds collide.
There may be some places where it rains or snows, but there are many places where there will be opportunities for observation.
Due to the cold air in northern Japan, snow is expected to fall mainly on the Sea of Japan side.
There will be times when you can see it through the gaps in the clouds on the Pacific side.

Today, February 2nd (Monday), the sun sets in Tokyo at 5:09 pm and the moon rises at 5:31 pm.

Heavy snow warning continues on the Sea of ??Japan side of northern Japan. In Aomori, heavy snowfall that is difficult to remove, traffic obstruction, snow falling from roofs, etc.

2026/02/02 07:25

The area around Japan has a winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern, and today, the 2nd (Monday), cold air with temperatures below -36c is expected to flow into the Tohoku region at an altitude of 5,000 meters.
Also, a trough of atmospheric pressure including a low pressure system is expected to pass through Hokkaido today, the 2nd (Monday).
As a result, heavy snowfall is expected to continue intermittently in the southern part of Hokkaido on the Sea of Japan side and in Tsugaru, Aomori Prefecture, into the late evening of Monday, the 2nd.



In Aomori Prefecture, due to the snow that has fallen so far, there are some places where the snowfall is more than double the normal level, and it is expected to increase further into the late evening of today, 2nd (Monday).
In Tsugaru, the snowfall has become difficult to remove, and the heavy snowfall is expected to continue until noon today, the 2nd (Monday), with even more snowfall expected. Strict vigilance must be taken to avoid traffic disruptions due to heavy snow, snow falling from roofs, and damage to buildings and agricultural facilities.
Also, be careful of wet snow accreting on power lines and trees, and avalanches on slopes with heavy snowfall.

Please be careful of traffic problems and avalanches caused by heavy snow in the Ishikari region of Hokkaido. Depending on the trend of the low pressure system, snow clouds may continue to flow into the same area, leading to warning-level heavy snow.



#Snow commentary
+24-hour snowfall amount as of 03:00 today, 2nd (Monday) (preliminary report by AMeDAS)
Imabetsu 25cm
Mutsu City Wakinosawa 25cm
Aomori 19cm
Noheji 17cm *Includes missing values
Goshogawara 14cm
+Snow depth as of 03:00 today, 2nd (Monday) (preliminary value by AMeDAS) )
Aomori City Sukayu 456cm
Aomori 172cm
Aomori Otani 169cm
Five Tokogawara 145cm
Hirosaki 132cm

#Expected amount of snow (in places with a lot)
+Tomorrow 3 days (Tue) Expected 24-hour snowfall by dawn
Northern Hokkaido Sea of Japan side 30cm
Southern Hokkaido Sea of Japan side 40c m
Along the mountains of Tsugaru 50cm
The flatlands of Tsugaru 50cm
Along the mountains of Shimokita 40cm
Shimokita flatland 40cm
Sanya Kamikita mountainside 40cm
Sanya Kamikita flatland 40cm

Today's 2nd (Monday) weather: Continued snow and rain on the Sea of ??Japan side, weather downhill in western Japan

2026/02/02 06:45

Today, the 2nd (Monday), a low pressure system is expected to move eastward across the Sea of Japan. Snow falls more easily north of Hokuriku, and caution should be taken to avoid temporary snowfall. Although it will be sunny on the Pacific side, you should be careful of showers in the afternoon.



It will snow intermittently on the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan and Hokuriku. Please be aware of the sudden increase in snowfall, as there is a risk that the rain may become stronger and may be accompanied by thunder. The Pacific side of northern Japan will be mostly sunny. Please be aware of changes in the weather as there are places where snow clouds may temporarily move in.

The sunshine will reach the Kanto and Tokai regions. There is a possibility of showers in coastal areas at night, so if you are returning late, it is a good idea to bring a foldable umbrella.

The weather in western Japan is going downhill as a low pressure system approaches. In the afternoon, rain and snow will spread from the Sea of Japan side, and rain is expected to start falling on the Pacific side as well, with thunderstorms expected in some places. Please bring rain gear when going out.

On the weekend of the voting day, the weather will become more winter-like and rough on the Sea of ??Japan side! Weather from the beginning of the week

2026/02/01 17:44

There is a trough of atmospheric pressure over the Sea of Okhotsk and the sea far east of Japan.
Also, there is a low pressure system near Hokkaido that is moving southeast.
On the other hand, there is a high pressure system over the continent that extends to the east, creating a winter-like atmospheric pressure pattern around Japan.
Currently, it is snowing and raining on the Sea of Japan coast from Hokkaido to the Sanin area.



At the beginning of the week, tomorrow, the 2nd (Monday), a low pressure system will move into the Sea of Japan, and a pressure trough will pass over western Japan.
For this reason, there will be many places on the Sea of Japan side and western Japan where it will snow and rain.



In "Setsubun" on the 3rd (Tuesday), the winter-type pressure distribution will loosen from the west and high pressure will spread.
The sun is expected to reach a wide area in western and eastern Japan.

The high pressure system is expected to move eastward in the south of Japan until the 4th (Wednesday), the ``first day of spring'' in the 24 solar terms.
On the 5th (Thursday), a low pressure system will move toward Hokkaido, so warm air will enter from the south from the 4th to the 5th, and temperatures will rise in many places during the day.



From the night of the 5th (Thursday) to the 6th (Friday), a low pressure system is expected to develop and pass near Hokkaido.
The atmospheric pressure distribution near Japan is expected to gradually change to a winter-like pattern, and strong cold air is expected to flow into the upper atmosphere.
There is a risk of stormy weather, with increasing rain, snow, and wind, mainly on the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan.





And next weekend, the winter-like pressure pattern will become stronger.
Extremely cold air is expected to move southward, making it very cold across the country.
On the Sea of Japan side, you need to be careful about poor visibility and the impact on traffic due to heavy snow and blizzard.
The 8th (Sunday) is the voting day for the House of Representatives election. It may be a good idea to consider early voting.