Snow Records Continue To Fall Across Japan; Intense Freeze Sweeps S. Korea; MP's Rare Chill; Turkey's Record Gas Consumption Amid Big Freeze; Record Cold Grips B.C.; + Arctic Blast To Wallop The U.S.
The COLD TIMES are returning...
Snow Records Continue To Fall Across Japan
Japan is enduring its strongest cold wave in years, which is dropping additional record snow to multiple regions.
The Hokuriku region has been hit especially hard, with Niigata City posting 12-hour totals of 50 cm (19.7 inches), with Aikawa in Sado City seeing 38 cm (15 inches)—both the highest ever recorded, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
The cold wave has led to unprecedented snowfall totals across the country. Obihiro City in Hokkaido’s Tokachi region recorded 124 cm (48.8 inches) of snow in just 72 hours (as of Feb 7), setting a new all-time record for the city.
In Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa Village experienced its highest February snowfall on record, with 156 cm (61.4 inches) settling in 72.
Niigata Prefecture also saw staggering totals. Yasuzuka in Joetsu Municipality received 130 cm (51.2 inches) of snow in 72 hours, while Tokamachi recorded 125 cm (49.2 inches) in the same period--both, again, setting new February records.
Three resorts have now exceeded 600cm (20 ft) for the season — these being Happo-one in Nagano Prefecture with 620cm, Arai in Niigata Prefecture with 614cm, and Charmant Hiuchi, also in Niigata, with 600 cm.
The heavy snow isn’t limited to traditionally snowy regions either. Rare accumulations have blanketed parts of Kyushu, Shikoku, and all, with the Pacific side of the Tokai region also copping historic inches.
The JMA forecasts another 60 cm (23.6 inches) in Hokkaido Monday morning, and over 120 cm (47.2 inches) across the Tohoku region. Authorities are urging extreme caution, especially on the Sea of Japan side, where whiteout conditions are enduring.
Intense Freeze Sweeps S. Korea
South Korea is in the grip of an intense cold wave with temperatures plunging below -10C (14F) across most inland regions.
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