Japan to see colder weather from December to February

Much of Japan will experience colder than average temperatures from December to February and will be at a greater risk of heavy snowfalls, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on November 22.

The JMA predicts that temperatures in Japan will be warmer than average in the first half of December, but they will drop in the second half.

The JMA said in January that temperatures will be at average levels or colder in eastern and western parts of Japan, as well as in Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami islands of Kagoshima Prefecture.

During the month, the temperatures in northern Japan will remain at average levels.

From February, temperatures in Japan should return to average levels, the agency said.

Areas on the Sea of Japan side in eastern and western Japan will receive average or above-average snowfall levels in the first half of December, according to the forecast.

The forecast said that the usual amount of snow will likely fall on areas on the Sea of Japan side of northern Japan over the next three months.

The La Nina weather phenomenon, which causes lower-than average sea surface temperatures near the equator in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, has been occurring since autumn 2021.

The agency said La Nina brought colder than average weather to Japan last winter.

The latest forecast said there is a 50 - percent chance that the phenomenon will end by February.

In February, the waning effect of La Nina will bring average temperatures to Japan, except in Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami Islands, according to Takafumi Umeda, director of the agency's center for abnormal weather information.

The JMA said that temperatures from September to November have been higher than normal across the country.

Northern, eastern and western parts of Japan were often surrounded by high pressure systems and enjoyed longer daylight hours.

The northern and eastern parts of Japan saw only a small amount of rainfall this fall. The heavy rainfall hit the Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami islands.