TOKYO, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Heavy snow blanketed northern Japan on Tuesday, forcing dozens of flight cancellations as many people were traveling for the New Year holidays.
Japan Airlines said it canceled 42 flights to and from the northernmost island of Hokkaido, affecting 6,398 passengers, while All Nippon Airways scrapped 14 flights, affecting 800 passengers.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), heavy snowfall fell in many places in central and northern Hokkaido on Tuesday due to a winter pressure pattern.
The JMA said that more than 20 cm of snow has fallen in some areas of Hokkaido since Monday, most of it on Tuesday morning, noting that snowfall was expected to continue on New Year's Day. ■