Overview
- Sapporo issued a blizzard warning at 8:34 p.m. on March 20, urging residents to avoid nonessential car travel.
- The Japan Meteorological Agency expanded blizzard warnings to 26 municipalities across Ishikari, Sorachi, Shiribeshi, Iburi and Hidaka as of 6 a.m. on March 21.
- Officials caution about whiteouts and drifting snow that could cause traffic disruptions during the morning hours.
- Local reports noted about 10 centimeters of snow in Sapporo’s Chuo Ward and closures on three sections of the Dōō Expressway.
- City authorities advise checking JMA updates for changing conditions and warn residents to verify any unsolicited disaster-related phone calls.