Heavy snow in Japan disrupts air traffic

Heavy snowfall in Japan’s northern region on Tuesday forced the cancellation of dozens flights as millions of families returned to their homes to spend New Year’s with their families. Japan Airlines announced that it had cancelled 42 flights affecting 6,398 people by early afternoon. All of these flights were services to and from Hokkaido, the northernmost island.

Due to the bad weather in the north of the country, its main rival ANA cancelled 14 flights, affecting over 800 passengers. It warned customers about possible delays and cancellations. Passengers formed long queues at the main Hokkaido airport to secure alternate flights. Some passengers are prepared to see 2025 on the departure lounge.

HTB broadcasted that one man, who was trying desperately to return to Okinawa from the south of Japan, said “It is great to see the snow. But I didn’t expect to be trapped here.”

“I don’t even know what to say. I might have to stay overnight at the airport.”

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Tuesday saw strong winds and heavy amounts of snow in Hokkaido as well as communities along the northern coastlines facing Sea of Japan.

The weather agency reported that more than 20 centimetres (7.9 inches) of snow fell in some areas of Hokkaido on Monday, with the majority of it falling on Tuesday morning. It added that snowfall is expected to continue through New Year’s Day.

The summer of this year in Japan was the second hottest ever recorded — it was equal to the level seen 2023 — as extreme temperatures fueled by climate change swept across the globe.

The national weather agency reported that autumn was the hottest since records began 126 year ago. The snowcap on Mount Fuji also remained absent this year for the longest time in recorded history, appearing only in early November as opposed to the usual early October.