Record Snowfall in Hokkaido Disrupts Traffic and Closes Airports

On February 4, 2025, Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido, experienced a record-breaking snowfall event that significantly disrupted daily life, traffic, and air travel across the region. The snowfall, which was described by the Hokkaido prefectural government as unprecedented, blanketed the island, particularly affecting the eastern areas including Obihiro and Kushiro, where snow accumulation reached extraordinary levels. In Obihiro, the snowfall was measured at 129 centimeters (4 feet), setting a new record for the area. This intense snow event led to a cascade of issues, starting with the immobilization of vehicles on roads. Dozens of drivers found themselves stranded as their cars could no longer navigate through the deep snow, prompting an influx of emergency calls to local authorities for assistance.

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The impact on aviation was equally severe. At Obihiro and Kushiro airports, the heavy snowfall led to the closure of runways, which were completely buried under the snow. This resulted in the cancellation of numerous flights, affecting thousands of passengers who were either planning to depart from or arrive in Hokkaido. The scenes at these airports were dramatic, with images showing planes half-submerged in snow, a testament to the sheer volume of snowfall that overwhelmed typical winter operations. The Japan Meteorological Agency had forecasted significant snow, predicting up to 100 centimeters (3.2 feet) in northwestern Japan and an additional 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) in Hokkaido over the next 24 hours following the initial snowfall. The forecast was driven by two powerful low-pressure systems moving on either side of the Japanese archipelago, channeling cold air into the region, which exacerbated the snow conditions.

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As a direct consequence of this weather event, many public services were disrupted. Schools across Hokkaido canceled classes for the day, affecting approximately 370 educational institutions. Public transportation was also severely impacted; train services were either suspended or operated at reduced capacity, causing widespread delays. Major roads and highways were closed, further hampering movement and logistics, which led to delays in postal services and other deliveries not only within Hokkaido but also to destinations across Japan. Hokkaido officials, in response to the crisis, urged both residents and visitors to take precautionary measures, such as carrying shovels and warm clothing in their vehicles in case they got stuck. The local community saw residents and even passengers at the airports banding together to shovel snow from roads and vehicles, highlighting a collective effort to mitigate the disruptions.

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The record snowfall also occurred during the Sapporo Snow Festival, one of Hokkaido's cultural highlights. Fortunately, the festival, which draws thousands of tourists, was not significantly disrupted, although attendees had to navigate through heavier-than-usual snow to enjoy the snow sculptures and festivities. This event has prompted discussions on winter preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and emergency response capabilities in regions prone to such extreme weather. Authorities are now reviewing their strategies for snow removal and emergency assistance to better handle similar situations in the future. The focus is on enhancing the capacity to clear snow from critical infrastructure like airports and highways more efficiently to minimize the impact on daily life and travel. As Hokkaido begins the process of recovery from this record-breaking snowfall, the resilience of its people, coupled with the lessons learned from this event, will be crucial in adapting to the increasingly unpredictable patterns of winter weather in the region.

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