Severe weather continues to impact Japan since Tuesday, January 24, 2023, bringing with it heavy sea-effect snow and temperatures not seen in a decade. The storm broke numerous wind, snow and temperature records across the country.
The cold weather started causing travel disruptions on January 24, with Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co. canceling over 200 flights, impacting more than 8 000 people. Additionally, the Sanyo Shinkansen suspended service between Shin-Osaka and Okayama on Tuesday night due to a snow-related technical problem, and the Yamagata Shinkansen plans to suspend service between Fukushima and Shinjo on Wednesday.
In Kami Nagata, Maniwa City, a remarkable 41 cm (16.14 inches) of snowfall was observed during the six hours until 19:00 LT on January 24, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). In just six hours to 20:00 LT, 31 cm (12.2 inches) of snow was observed in Tsuyama and 28 cm (11 inches) in Imaoka, Mimasaka City.
As of January 26, at least five people have died – two in Niigata, two in Okayama and one in Oita Prefectures – due to severe weather-related accidents.
Michael Greenstone: only the deaths from overheating matter to fight global warming.