TOKYO, Jan 21 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- Japan's weather agency on Wednesday warned of heavy snow in areas stretching from northern to western regions through the weekend, with authorities saying some highways in the central part of the country could close in advance, Kyodo News Agency reported.
Heavy snowfall is likely along the Pacific coast in places that rarely see it, while areas along the Sea of Japan coast will experience even heavier snow on Thursday, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The government urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, with some sections of highways, including on the Meishin Expressway and the Hokuriku Expressway, expected to be temporarily closed from Thursday as a precaution.
In the 24 hours through 6 am Thursday, the agency is forecasting as much as 80 centimetres of snowfall in the Hokuriku region in central Japan, 70 cm in the Kinki and Chugoku regions in the west and 60 cm in the Tohoku region in the northeast.
Hokkaido in the north, as well as the Kanto-Koshinetsu region, including Tokyo are expected to record 50 cm, while the Tokai region in central Japan will see 40 cm.
-- BERNAMA-KYODO
