【国際交流PRアソシエイトからの発信★】Japan encounters rare heavy snowstorm

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【国際交流PRアソシエイトからの発信★】Japan encounters rare heavy snowstorm

今年は多くの地域で大雪が降り、生活に影響が出たところもありました。留学生のXuさんが大雪の影響や対策について調べてまとめてくれました。ぜひご覧ください！

This year, heavy snow fell in many areas, affecting life in some places. Xu, PR international student, has researched and summarized the impact of the heavy snow and the measures taken. Please take a look!

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Japan encounters rare heavy snowstorm

Japan has indeed encountered heavy snowstorm weather many times in recent years, especially in the coastal areas of the Sea of Japan, where strong winter pressure distribution (the intersection of Siberian cold air and warm and humid air currents from the Sea of Japan) often forms heavy snowfall in winter. Especially since February 2025, many places have encountered heavy snowstorms, which has brought unprecedented challenges to local residents. This sudden blizzard has set a new record for the depth of snow accumulation, causing great trouble to daily life.

1. A blizzard that is rare in a century

In Aomori Prefecture in the northeast, the depth of snow accumulation once exceeded 4.50 meters, a figure that is enough to shock anyone. This is also the maximum snow depth in Asia this season, and the thickness of the snow even exceeds the height of the bus! As the blizzard continues, rescue and emergency measures are being carried out in full swing, and people are struggling to survive under the threat of extreme weather. Imagine that 4.50 meters of snow is almost higher than the height of two adults plus a child, far exceeding the 3 meters of a bus, and even exceeding the 3.5 meters of a tourist bus. This "snow wall" is not only amazing, but also puts the residents living in these hard-hit areas in dire straits.

Fig.1 Aomori Sukayu Onsen

Image source: https://www.photo-ac.com

Snow covered almost all the roads in Morioka City, paralyzing traffic. Residents had to walk carefully in the snow, as they could fall if they were not careful.

Fig. 2 Snow on the road in front of the Iwate University Faculty of Science and Engineering

2. Causes of heavy snow

? Geographical factors: The "Nihonkaigawa" region along the coast of the Sea of Japan is controlled by the "high in the west and low in the east" air pressure in winter. After the cold air absorbs water vapor through the Sea of Japan, it forms continuous snowfall (orographic precipitation) under the action of the uplift of the mountains.

? Impact of climate change: In recent years, warm winters and extreme cold waves have alternated. The Japan Meteorological Agency pointed out that global warming may aggravate atmospheric instability, leading to local short-term heavy snowfall.

3. The main impacts of the snowstorm

? Traffic paralysis: highway closures, Shinkansen delays, and large-scale flight cancellations.

? Damage to infrastructure: snow crushes old houses and power transmission lines in mountainous areas are interrupted.

? People's livelihood issues: Elderly people are injured or killed in snow removal accidents (accounting for more than 70% of winter-related deaths), and logistics delays lead to material shortages. In particular, the transportation of daily necessities is blocked, causing price fluctuations.

? Economic losses: The tourism industry has suffered setbacks (ski resorts have lost customers due to traffic interruptions), and agricultural greenhouses have been damaged.

Tips for dealing with extreme weather:

Those planning a winter trip (especially in Hokkaido, Tohoku, and Hokuriku) should note:

- Pay close attention to the "Heavy Snow Special Alert" issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

- Bring non-slip shoes, portable power banks, and purchase travel insurance that covers extreme weather.

- Avoid driving and give priority to rail transportation (less affected by heavy snow than roads).

日本遭遇罕见特大暴雪

日本近年来确实多次遭遇特大暴雪天气，尤其是在日本海沿岸地区，冬季常因强烈的冬季气压分布（西伯利亚冷空气与日本海暖湿气流交汇）形成强降雪。特别是2025年2月以来，多地遭遇特大暴雪，给当地居民带来了前所未有的挑战。这场突如其来的暴雪，令积雪深度刷新历史纪录，给日常生活带来了巨大困扰。

1. 百年难遇的暴雪

位于东北部的青森县，酸汤气象站的积雪深度一度突破了4.50米，这一数字足以让任何人感到震撼。这也成为亚洲本季的最大积雪深度，雪的厚度甚至超过了公交车的高度！随着暴雪的持续，救援和应急措施正在紧锣密鼓地展开，民众也在极端天气的威胁下艰难求生。想象一下，4.50米的积雪几乎比两位成年人加一个小孩的身高还要高，远远超过公交车的3米，甚至超出了旅游大巴车的3.5米高度。这种"雪墙"不仅让人感到惊叹，还让生活在这些重灾区的居民深陷困境。

图片1青森县酸汤温泉

图片来源：https://www.photo-ac.com

盛冈市积雪几乎将道路完全覆盖，交通陷入瘫痪。居民不得不小心行走在积雪中，稍不注意就可能摔倒。

图2岩手大学理工学部正门前的道路积雪

1. 暴雪成因

u 地理因素：日本海沿岸的"裏日本"地区冬季受"西高东低"气压控制，冷空气经日本海吸收水汽后，在山脉抬升作用下形成持续降雪（地形性降水）。

u 气候变化影响：近年暖冬与极端寒潮交替出现，日本气象厅指出，全球变暖可能加剧大气不稳定，导致局部短时强降雪。

1. 暴雪带来的主要影响

n 交通瘫痪 ：高速公路封闭、新干线延误、航班大规模取消。

n 基础设施受损 ：积雪压垮老旧房屋，山区输电线路中断。

n 民生问题 ：老年人因除雪意外伤亡（占冬季相关死亡70%以上），物流延迟导致物资短缺。特别是生活物资运输受阻，引起物价波动。

n 经济损失 ：旅游业受挫（滑雪场因交通中断客源减少），农业大棚损毁。

应对极端天气的小贴士：

计划冬季外出旅行度假（尤其北海道、东北、北陆地区）需注意：

- 实时关注日本气象厅（JMA）发布的"大雪特别警报"。

- 携带防滑鞋、便携式充电宝，投保涵盖极端天气的旅行险。

- 避免自驾，优先选择轨道交通（受暴雪影响小于公路）。