The Ice Age Cometh! Forget Global Warming!


Record-breaking snowfall hits Hokkaido as cold front sweeps Japan - 120 cms (nearly 4 FEET) of snow in just 12 hours with more heavy falls forecast

Snow-covered streets in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Tuesday

© JIJISnow-covered streets in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on Tuesday

A powerful low-pressure system is unleashing record-breaking snowfall along Hokkaido's Pacific coast, with the city of Obihiro accumulating more than 1 meter of snow in just 12 hours through Tuesday.

Heavy snowfall has persisted since Monday night, with Obihiro recording 120 centimeters in the 12 hours through noon on Tuesday, the highest on record for the city. Snow depth in the city has now surpassed 120 centimeters, a level last seen in 1972, according to private weather forecaster Weathernews.

While the cold front's impact is most pronounced in the northern regions along the Sea of Japan, the cold air mass is also pushing westward, spreading snow to the Kyushu region facing the East China Sea and the Shikoku region facing the Seto Inland Sea.

In some parts of Kyushu, temperatures have dropped below minus 12 degrees Celsius, according to Weathernews. Kagoshima Prefecture is experiencing steady snowfall, with accumulations visible on grassy surfaces in the city center. Mountainous areas have seen roads turn completely white.


While occasional breaks in the snowfall may allow sunlight to filter through, the cold air mass is expected to fluctuate in intensity and persist until the weekend.

The Meteorological Agency is forecasting heavy snow for Hokkaido and the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions later this week.

In the 24 hours through 6 a.m. Wednesday, these regions are expected to receive significant snowfall, with Hokuriku seeing up to 100 cm, Gifu Prefecture 80 cm, and Tohoku 70 cm. The Kinki region is projected to receive 60 cm, while Hokkaido and the Chugoku region are expected to get 50 cm. Meanwhile, Shikoku and northern Kyushu may see up to 30 cm of snow.

Further accumulations are anticipated in the 24 hours through 6 a.m. Thursday, with Tohoku and Hokuriku each receiving another 100 cm. Gifu is projected to get an additional 70 cm, while Hokkaido and the regions of Kinki and Chugoku could see 50 cm more. Shikoku and northern Kyushu are expected to have an additional 40 cm of snowfall accumulate.

The transport ministry has advised the public to stay updated on weather conditions and prepare for potential travel delays or cancelations as widespread highway closures are possible. The ministry also urged people to avoid nonessential and nonurgent outings.

For those who must drive, the ministry strongly recommends equipping vehicles with winter tires, carrying snow chains and keeping shovels and sand in the vehicle for emergencies.

Nexco Central announced Tuesday that the Hokuriku and Maizuru-Wakasa expressways may face closures Tuesday afternoon as a precautionary measure against the heavy snow.

All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have said that they are canceling 34 and 29 domestic flights, respectively, on Tuesday, affecting approximately 5,800 people.
 
USA: The Polar Vortex could penetrate deep (again) into the Lower 48 like early last month.

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Floods, Hail and Ice in Catania-Sicily-Italy​

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Bad weather continued to hit Sicily on Sunday. Incredible accumulation of hail in the municipality of San Giovanni La Punta in Catania, Sicily. Several cars were left stranded on the streets after bad weather hit on Sunday.
In the region of Messina and in the village of Zafferia, the Zafferia river, which overflowed due to the storm that hit the area, washed away mud and debris.
San Giovanni La Punta (CT), the situation in via Fisichelli due to heavy rain. Curiously, after this morning's hailstorm, 30 cm high chunks of ice fell, probably from the mountains or from rainwater from the neighbouring villages of Trecastagni and Pedara. A Carabinieri mobile radio to ensure the safety of citizens.
 
Floods, Hail and Ice in Catania-Sicily-Italy
Obviously current hail events would coincide with solar cycle 2025

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❄️ The risk of snow is becoming clearer for Saturday, particularly towards the Massif Central where the rain/snow limit could reach the plains before shifting towards the Alps. To be continued as uncertainties remain.


 
More on the remarkable heavy snowfall of late in Japan -

Japan leads the world in snow depths with 6 meters (20 feet) base at Polkus

Hakuba Happo One, Japan: 5th February 2025.
Hakuba Happo One, Japan: 5th February 2025.

JAPAN REPORT

Japan continues to top the world's snow depth tables after more huge snowfalls over the past week, with reports of up to 1 metre (40") of snowfall in 24 hours.
Niigata continues to post the country's deepest snowpacks—which are about double the most that's lying anywhere else in the world. At Arai Ski Area, near the ski town of Myoko, there is a base depth of 610cm (over 20 feet), with Charmant Hiuchi Ski Area near Itoigawa City coming in second with a 560cm base. Ski areas in Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, are also experiencing substantial snow depths, with the renowned resort of Happo-One in the Hakuba Valley boasting 5.5 meters.

The 6m/20 feet Polkus base is believed to be the deepest recorded base worldwide in several years. Japan's ski areas have been experiencing remarkable snowfalls over the past few months.

While much coverage has been given to the northern island of Hokkaido, known for ski areas like Niseko (145/250cm / 58/140"), which currently has every run open, the deepest snow depths are actually being observed in Niigata Prefecture, north of Tokyo on the Japanese mainland.

This region is benefiting from a weather phenomenon known as the Siberian Express, where dry air blowing east across central and eastern Asia hits the Sea of Japan, then rises and releases abundant snowfall upon encountering Japan's mountainous coastline.


 
Got 2 snowstorms in a row in Quebec Province (one is ongoing at this precise moment, expecting 25-35cm).
Here are 2 pictures from Montreal. In my backyard, the snow comes up to mid-window. In the front, what I circled in red is a pile of snow from street plowing and neighbors cleaning their car entrance. It's as high as a car and about 10 meters long (it goes longer than the picture; I could not get the right angle without going to the sidewalk). There are many more all along the street.

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