Japan sets new national 12-hour snowfall record with 1.29 m (4 feet) in Hokkaido
A record-breaking 1.29 m (4 feet) of snow fell in Obihiro, Japan, within just 12 hours on February 4, 2025, setting a new national record for 12-hour snowfall and leaving cars stranded in deep snow.
Obihiro, in Japan’s eastern Hokkaido, was hit by record-breaking snowfall today, with the Obihiro Meteorological Observatory reporting 1.2 m (3.94 feet) of snow in the 12 hours leading up to 09:00 local time (LT). This marks Japan’s highest 12-hour snowfall on record.
By 09:00 LT, the snow depth had reached 1.29 m (4.23 feet) before slightly decreasing to 1.25 m (4.10 feet) by 11:00 LT. This is the first time in 53 years that snow accumulation has exceeded 1.2 m (3.94 feet).
Heavy snowfall was also recorded in Kushiro and Sapporo, with authorities receiving dozens of calls from drivers across Hokkaido whose vehicles were stuck in the snow.
The Obihiro Police Station reported some 20 cases of vehicles stranded in the snow. Officials have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel due to severe weather conditions.
Two powerful low-pressure systems are currently affecting both sides of the Japanese archipelago, bringing in cold air and causing widespread heavy snowfall.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has forecasted up to 100 cm (39.4 inches) of snowfall in northwestern Japan and an additional 50 cm (19.7 inches) in Hokkaido over the next 24 hours, lasting through the evening of February 5.
This cold snap is expected to persist for about a week, with a chance of heavy snow in low-lying areas of Kyushu and Shikoku, regions that rarely experience snowfall.
The JMA has issued warnings for heavy snow, snowstorms, and high waves, advising people to stay alert for power outages, fallen trees, and avalanches. Authorities have cautioned that snow could bring road traffic to a standstill and cause significant delays and cancellations of public transportation services.
References:
1 「雪に埋まって車出られず」 帯広などで通報相次ぐ – NHK – February 4, 2025
2 今日から寒波 大雪・暴風雪に警戒を 北海道道東では記録的な降雪 – WNI – February 4, 2025
Featured image credit: About Nature
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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