HOKKAIDO –
Japan’s first vital snowfall of the season has introduced winter situations to Hokkaido and northern Honshu, with snow depths exceeding 10 centimeters in a number of mountain and inland areas on October 28, whereas a contemporary wave of chilly air is anticipated to carry additional snowfall over the weekend of October 31 and November 1.
As of 11 a.m. on October 29, the Japan Meteorological Agency had confirmed the season’s first snow cowl on quite a few mountains extending from Hokkaido by means of Tohoku and into the Japanese Alps, marking a big advance of winter climate throughout the nation.
Hokkaido skilled among the heaviest snowfall on October 28 as a robust winter strain sample carried chilly air southward from the Asian continent. Snow was recorded in Sapporo, Hakodate, Muroran, Obihiro, Kushiro and Abashiri, with a number of cities experiencing their first snowfall sooner than the seasonal common.
Sapporo’s first snow arrived on October 28, matching the common date however 5 days later than final yr. Kushiro recorded its first snowfall 10 days sooner than regular and 14 days sooner than final yr, highlighting the uneven arrival of winter situations throughout Japan’s northernmost island.
Snowfall was notably pronounced in Hokkaido’s mountainous inside. At 1 p.m. on October 28, snow depth had reached 18 centimeters in Sounkyo, a mountain resort space within the Daisetsuzan vary, whereas Wassamu, at an elevation of roughly 150 meters, recorded 12 centimeters, its highest October accumulation on report. Further south, Sukayu in Aomori Prefecture, a location recognized for a few of Japan’s deepest winter snow, reported 19 centimeters.
The snowfall additionally remodeled mountain landscapes throughout northeastern Japan. Mount Iwate, the very best peak in Iwate Prefecture at 2,038 meters, acquired its first recorded summit snow cowl of the season on October 28. Snow additionally appeared on Mount Iwaki in Aomori, Mount Gassan and Mount Zao in Yamagata, and Mount Azuma in Fukushima, in addition to Mount Hakusan and Mount Tateyama farther south.
In Iwate Prefecture, the chilly air introduced temperatures beneath freezing in some inland areas. Yabukawa, in Morioka, recorded a minimal of minus 0.9 levels Celsius on October 28, whereas the town of Morioka reached a daytime excessive of simply 9.3 levels, its lowest temperature of the season. Snow coated vegetation and highway indicators in mountain communities, offering an unusually wintry panorama earlier than November.
The early snowfall has already affected mountain transportation. In Fukushima Prefecture, the Bandai-Azuma Skyline scenic highway was closed on October 28 after snow and ice developed alongside the high-altitude route. Visitors touring to view autumn foliage have been confronted with snow-covered surroundings and freezing situations, illustrating how rapidly mountain climate can change presently of yr.
For Japan’s ski trade, the snowfall represents an encouraging early improvement, notably in Hokkaido, though it’s too early to find out whether or not the accumulations will present an enduring basis for the winter season.
A forecast issued on October 25 by SnowBrains projected cumulative snowfall of roughly 8 to 12 centimeters round Kiroro and eight to 11 centimeters at Niseko Grand Hirafu in the course of the October 27-29 interval. Furano was forecast to obtain 6 to 10 centimeters, Rusutsu 6 to 9 centimeters and Tomamu 6 to eight centimeters. These figures have been forecasts somewhat than confirmed resort measurements.
In northern Honshu, the identical forecast projected 5 to 7 centimeters round Appi Kogen in Iwate Prefecture, with lighter accumulations of 1 to five centimeters round Shiga Kogen, Zao Onsen and Hakuba. Snowfall at larger elevations doesn’t essentially translate into skiable situations at resort bases, and most ski areas are nonetheless making ready for his or her common winter openings.
The instant outlook means that the primary substantial snowfall shall be adopted by fluctuating temperatures somewhat than a steady interval of winter climate. Conditions are anticipated to enhance briefly on October 29 earlier than one other frontal system strikes throughout Japan on October 30.
According to an October 29 forecast from Weathernews, a winter strain sample is anticipated to develop once more on October 31, bringing colder northwesterly winds and renewed precipitation to northern Japan. Snow is feasible in elements of Hokkaido and the mountainous areas alongside the Sea of Japan facet by means of November 1, whereas decrease elevations could expertise rain.
The renewed chilly climate may add to current mountain snow cowl, though rising temperatures between climate programs could trigger substantial melting, notably at decrease elevations. Forecasters anticipate appreciable temperature fluctuations in the course of the transition into November, making sustained snow accumulation unsure outdoors the very best mountain areas.
The broader outlook for the 2026-2027 winter season stays much less favorable for widespread heavy snowfall. The Japan Meteorological Agency’s three-month forecast launched on October 20 indicated a better chance of warmer-than-average temperatures throughout a lot of Japan, with the persevering with El Niño phenomenon anticipated to affect atmospheric situations by means of winter.
For the Sea of Japan facet of Hokkaido and Tohoku, the company assigned a 40% chance to below-normal snowfall, a 40% chance to near-normal snowfall and a 20% chance to above-normal snowfall. The outlook doesn’t rule out intense particular person snowstorms, however means that the general seasonal sample could also be much less constantly chilly than in some current winters.
For motorists and vacationers, the instant concern is the opportunity of icy roads and quickly altering situations in mountainous districts. Snow that partially melts in the course of the day can refreeze in a single day, creating hazardous surfaces on mountain passes and roads serving widespread autumn sightseeing locations.
Although Japan’s essential ski season continues to be a number of weeks away, the October snowfall has offered the primary substantial indication of winter’s arrival, with Hokkaido and the mountains of northern Honshu prone to stay the main target of additional snow exercise as November approaches.