YOICHI and CHITOSE, Japan (Reuters) — Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido is in the midst of one of the worst snowstorm in years, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Tuesday (March 1).
The agency recorded winds of up to 40 meters (131 feet) per second or 144 kilometers (90 miles) per hour in the morning.
Media reports said more than 40 centimeters (15 inches) of snow were expected by early Wednesday (March 2).
Residents were surprised but unfazed as they braved the wind and snow to head to office.
“It wasn’t like this yesterday, but today as you can see, it’s a blizzard,” one resident said.
“It’s incredible. The snow drifts are incredible,” said another resident who was trying to cycle to work.
The snow storm grounded about 120 flights around the island and caused power outages in over 4,500 houses, mnedia reports said.
