Blizzard Slams Hokkaido, Japan; Northeast China to -44.3C; Coronal Hole Faces Earth; + Volcanoes, A Weak Sun, And A Misleading Baseline

The climate has swung wildly before without human influence. And it will do so again.

Blizzard Slams Hokkaido, Japan

A rapidly deepening low-pressure system unleashed heavy snow and strong winds across Hokkaido this week, disrupting transport and power across northern Japan.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that 14 locations, mainly in eastern Hokkaido, logged 50 cm (19.7 inches) or more in the 24 hours to 8 AM (local time) on Dec 15.

Totals peaked at 68 cm (26.8 inches) in Kamisatsunai and Taiki in the Tokachi region, with 56 cm (22 inches) settling near Lake Akan in the Kushiro area.

Rail travel was heavily affected. By late morning, Hokkaido Railway Company had canceled or partially canceled 104 services.

Air travel was also hit, with almost 100 flights to and from New Chitose Airport canceled after a Gulfstream G550 overran one of the runways and an A330 left a taxiway.

The storm also knocked out power to some 50,000 households, mostly concentrated in the Okhotsk and Kushiro regions.

Northeast China to -44.3C

Polar air has plunged Northeast China into extreme cold, with the Greater Khingan Mountains posting the harshest lows.