A cold wave hits the archipelago on Christmas. Many areas were hit by heavy snowfall of disaster-level. Snowy roads stretch out forever. On the morning of the 24th, Fuji TV's camera headed to Aomori City's hot spring resort, Sukayu. This season, more than 3 meters of snowfall was observed for the first time in the country. This is the first time in history that Sukayu has recorded more than 3 meters of snowfall in December. Parked cars were completely buried in snow, with only the windshield wipers sticking out above the snow. Tourists took commemorative photos in front of the car, which was covered in a pile of snow. After taking the photos, they started digging out the car using snow shovels, and after a few minutes the shape of the car became visible. A tourist from Aichi said, "The snow is really light, but I don't usually do it, so it's tiring," and "I was prepared, but I thought it would be okay because it's December, but the snow was much heavier than I expected. I was surprised." This is the first time in 19 years that snowfall in Japan has exceeded 3 meters in December, since 3.24m was observed in Tsunan Town, Niigata in 2005. This year, heavy snowfall occurred in various areas, mainly along the mountains on the Sea of ​​Japan side, causing damage one after another. Even after the new year, the heavy snow continued, and 152 people died in accidents while removing snow and building collapses, which is called the "Heavy Snow of 2006". This is the first record-breaking snowfall in December since then. Snowfall exceeding the average has been observed in various parts of the archipelago. In Shinano Town in northern Nagano Prefecture, heavy snow fell again from the night of the 23rd, and 86cm of snow was observed, more than three times the average. People in the town said, "It's been falling non-stop since around Sunday. I'd be happy if it was a little more subdued and a little bit every day," and "It's normal, so it's not a big deal, but it was too early this year. It's a little early." Meanwhile, in Yuzawa Town, Niigata, 36cm of new snow fell in the 12 hours from the night of the 23rd, the highest in the country, and 120cm of snowfall was recorded, more than double the average. Several tens of centimeters of snow had piled up on the roofs of houses and cars, and residents were busy shoveling the snow. Townsfolk: It must have been about 1 meter. It would be a problem if it snowed too much. I wish it would stop at just the right time. Meanwhile, in Joetsu City, Niigata, on the morning of the 24th, a 76-year-old man who was clearing snow was caught in a snowplow and later confirmed dead. On the 24th, the snow intensified in Sapporo City, Hokkaido, from the early hours of the morning, and the heaviest snow of the season fell. Cars with headlights on were driving on roads where visibility was poor due to the continuing snowfall. A person walking a dog in the white town said, "It's hard work, so I want to go home, but my dogs love the fluffy snow, so I'm happy." Snow also fell in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and tourists were taking pictures of the snow-covered landscape of the tourist attraction Kenrokuen Garden. Tourist from Tokyo: I came here to see the snow, and it's beautiful. The air is refreshing. The peak of this Christmas cold wave is expected to be on the 24th, but a new cold wave is expected to hit towards the end of the year, and some places may experience heavy snow again. Regarding the reason for the record-breaking snowfall observed on the Sea of ​​Japan side, weather forecaster Tsuyoshi Yazawa explains, "One reason is that the sea water temperature in the Sea of ​​Japan is much higher than normal. When the sea water temperature is high, a lot of water vapor is released. Strong cold air is flowing in from the continent. This temperature difference is causing snow clouds to develop rapidly, and they are flowing into the Sea of ​​Japan side and bringing heavy snow." In addition, strong cold air is expected to arrive during the New Year holidays, when people travel a lot, so it is important to be careful of snow and cold during the New Year holidays. FNN Prime Online https://www.fnn.jp/