Hokkaido sees first snow in Wakkanai and Asahikawa; 4 taken to hospital after crash
In short
Wakkanai and Asahikawa recorded their first snow of the season on 22 October, three days later than normal and two days later than last year. Snow settled on mountain passes, and a wagon crash in Akaigawa village sent four people to hospital. Temperatures are expected to stay low until the morning of 23 October.
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Wakkanai and Asahikawa in Hokkaido recorded their first snow of the season on 22 October, according to Nippon TV News, TBS NEWS DIG and Mainichi Shimbun. All three said the first snow came three days later than normal and two days later than last year. Mainichi said it was the first such observation on Hokkaido's plains this season. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The Sapporo Regional Meteorological Observatory said cold air comparable to mid-November reached about 1,500 metres above ground on 22 October. As of 10:00, minimum temperatures were 0.3 degrees in Makkari village and in Shirataki in Engaru, and 0.4 degrees in Otaki in Date. Of 174 observation points, 62 recorded a minimum below normal. [ 3 ]
Snow began falling at Nakayama Pass at around 02:00, and Nippon TV said it briefly turned into a blizzard. A Sapporo resident told the broadcaster it was a little too early and that they had not expected so much snow. TBS said Route 39 at Sekihoku Pass also saw a blizzard with poor visibility, and a woman told TBS she had changed tyres early because a forecast had been issued. Mainichi said snow also settled on Mikuni Pass. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
In Kutchan, sleet fell on and off from about 07:00. Nippon TV said Kutchan is not an observation point, so no first snow was announced there. [ 1 ]
TBS reported that at about 07:30 a wagon hit a roadside utility pole on Route 393 in Akaigawa village, and four people were taken to hospital. The road was reportedly slushy at the time, and TBS urged drivers to take care. [ 2 ]
Nippon TV said temperatures would stay low until the morning of 23 October and that drivers should watch for icy roads. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The outlets say roads were slushy or frozen in places and urge drivers to take care. The cold is forecast to last until the morning of 23 October.
Key facts
- Wakkanai and Asahikawa recorded their first snow of the season on 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Both first snowfalls came three days later than normal and two days later than last year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Sapporo Regional Meteorological Observatory said cold air comparable to mid-November reached about 1,500 metres above ground. [ 3 ]
- Snow settled on Nakayama Pass and Mikuni Pass; a blizzard hit Sekihoku Pass on Route 39. [ 2 , 3 ]
- A wagon hit a roadside utility pole on Route 393 in Akaigawa village at about 07:30, and four people were taken to hospital. [ 2 ]
- Of 174 observation points, 62 recorded a minimum temperature below normal. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The cause of the crash in Akaigawa village and the condition of the four people taken to hospital. Only one outlet reported the crash; it gave the road as slushy at the time but no cause or injury details.
- Whether Kutchan has an official first snow. Nippon TV said Kutchan is not an observation point, so no first snow was announced there, although sleet fell from about 07:00.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Snow began falling at Nakayama Pass at around this time. [ 1 ]
- Sleet began falling on and off in Kutchan. [ 1 ]
- A wagon hit a utility pole on Route 393 in Akaigawa village; four people were taken to hospital. [ 2 ]
- Minimum temperatures were 0.3 degrees in Makkari village and Shirataki in Engaru, and 0.4 degrees in Otaki in Date, as of this time. [ 3 ]