Heavy Snow Disrupts Travel in Northern Japan as Families Return for New Year

Tokyo, The Gulf Observer: Heavy snowfall in Japan’s northern regions disrupted travel on Tuesday, canceling dozens of flights as millions of families sought to reunite with loved ones for the New Year holiday.

Japan Airlines announced the cancellation of 42 flights to and from Hokkaido, the country’s northernmost island, affecting 6,398 passengers by early afternoon. ANA, the airline’s main competitor, canceled 14 flights, impacting 800 passengers, and warned of further delays and cancellations due to adverse weather.

At Hokkaido’s main airport, long lines of stranded travelers formed as they sought alternative arrangements. Some passengers faced the possibility of spending New Year’s Eve at the airport.

“It was great to see snow, but I didn’t think I would be trapped here,” one traveler attempting to return home to Okinawa told broadcaster HTB. “I don’t know what to do. I might have to stay at the airport tonight.”

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that parts of Hokkaido and coastal areas along the Sea of Japan experienced strong winds and snowfall exceeding 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) since Monday, with most of it accumulating on Tuesday morning. The agency expects the heavy snowfall to persist through New Year’s Day.

The disruption comes during a year marked by extreme weather in Japan. The summer of 2024 tied with 2023 as the hottest on record, while the autumn season was the warmest since records began 126 years ago, according to the National Weather Agency.

The iconic snowcap of Mount Fuji was notably absent for an extended period this year, appearing in early November, a full month later than the historical average. Climate change continues to drive such extreme conditions globally, highlighting the increasing unpredictability of seasonal weather patterns.