06/01/2025
(Meteorologist Takako Sugai gives commentary) 5:30pm
◆Light pillar
On the night of the 5th (Sun), a "fishing light pillar" appeared in Hakodate.
The first squid fishing of the year went out, and the strong light of the fishing lights
reflected on ice particles in the sky, creating a pillar of light.
This is a very rare phenomenon that can only be seen when the weather conditions are right.
In addition, last night's squid fishing was bumper,
and this morning many squid were landed at the fishing port.
The light was as if praying for a bumper catch this year.
◆Temperature today, the 6th (Mon)
The cold eased throughout the prefecture during the day,
and in Matsumae-cho it rose to 8.5°C.
In southern Hokkaido and Shiretoko, it was over 7°C, as hot as late March.
The maximum temperature in Sapporo was 3.2°C, about 3°C higher than average.
The snow and ice are loosening, so please be careful of falling snow and worsening road conditions tomorrow.
◆Expected snowfall (until tomorrow morning, the 7th)
The amount of snow is likely to increase, especially in eastern Hokkaido.
In eastern Abashiri, it could reach a maximum of 30 cm, which will increase further during the day tomorrow, Tuesday the 7th, reaching 50 cm by the evening.
On the Sea of Japan side, it will be light, with even heavier amounts being less than 5 cm.
In Sapporo city, it will hardly snow, but the roads will freeze over and become slippery.
◆Weather tomorrow, Tuesday the 7th
In the Kushiro and Nemuro regions, a high wind alert will be in place from before noon until the evening.
On the Sea of Okhotsk side, snow and winds will be strong, and there is a risk of heavy snowstorms.
On the Sea of Japan side, it will be calm during the day, but many places will see snowfall at night.
◆Temperatures tomorrow, the 7th (Tuesday)
It will be 3 to 5 degrees Celsius lower than yesterday, and with the strong winds, the perceived temperature will drop even further.
Cold air will enter the upper atmosphere at night, causing the temperature to drop rapidly.
◆Weekly forecast for the whole of Hokkaido, from the 7th (Tuesday) to the 13th (Monday)
Snow will continue on the Sea of Japan side from the 8th (Wednesday) to the 9th (Thursday).
The snowfall is likely to increase in the Kamikawa, Sorachi, and Rumoi regions.
Sapporo will continue to have light snow, but the snowfall is likely to increase on the 11th (Saturday).
The cold will ease across the whole of Hokkaido over the weekend, with temperatures rising above zero during the day,
so please be careful of deteriorating road conditions.