TOKYO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Heavy snow is expected to hit northern and eastern Japan through Saturday, mainly in mountainous areas along the Sea of Japan coast, due to a winter pressure pattern and a cold air mass, the country's weather agency said Friday.

As of 5 a.m. local time Friday, 412 centimeters of snow had accumulated in Sukayu in the Hakkoda mountain range in Aomori Prefecture, more than double the average amount, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

The estimated 24-hour snowfall through Saturday morning is expected to be up to 50 centimeters in the Tohoku region, 40 centimeters in the Hokkaido and Niigata prefectures, 35 centimeters in the Kanto-Koshin region and 30 centimeters in the Hokuriku and Tokai regions, said the JMA.

Weather officials called on people to prepare for traffic disruptions, while urging caution against snow that accumulates on power cables and trees, as well as avalanches in snow-covered areas.

Winds could intensify along the Sea of Japan coast from northern to western Japan through Sunday, with possible blizzards in some areas, the JMA added. Enditem

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