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Japan Warns of Avalanches, Icy Roads Ahead of More Snow 

This photo taken on January 31, 2025 shows a sign for a hotel buried amongst snow piled high, along a street in the ski resort town of Hakuba, Nagano prefecture. (AFP)
This photo taken on January 31, 2025 shows a sign for a hotel buried amongst snow piled high, along a street in the ski resort town of Hakuba, Nagano prefecture. (AFP)
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Japan Warns of Avalanches, Icy Roads Ahead of More Snow 

This photo taken on January 31, 2025 shows a sign for a hotel buried amongst snow piled high, along a street in the ski resort town of Hakuba, Nagano prefecture. (AFP)
This photo taken on January 31, 2025 shows a sign for a hotel buried amongst snow piled high, along a street in the ski resort town of Hakuba, Nagano prefecture. (AFP)

Japan will face more heavy snow after a two-week whiteout, the country's weather agency said Monday, warning people to be wary of avalanches and icy roads.

The country's regions facing the Sea of Japan experience heavy snowfall every year and are home to many ski resorts, drawing a growing number of tourists from abroad.

But several cities have seen record snowfall this month, causing traffic disruption and fatalities.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said Monday more snowfall is expected in Niigata, Ishikawa and Nagano prefectures, as well as in some western regions including Hiroshima and Shimane prefectures.

The agency also warned people to stay vigilant of avalanches, icy roads and freezing of water pipes in those areas.

By 10:00 am (0100 GMT) on Monday, the northern Aomori City recorded five meters (16 feet) of snow, Niigata's Uonuma recorded 3.81 meters, and Tadami in Fukushima prefecture recorded 3.13 meters, according to the JMA.

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Iceland Engulfed by Volcanic Cloud

Smoke and lava rise from a volcano eruption near Reykjanes, Iceland, 19 July 2025. EPA/JAKOB VEGERFORS
Smoke and lava rise from a volcano eruption near Reykjanes, Iceland, 19 July 2025. EPA/JAKOB VEGERFORS
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Iceland Engulfed by Volcanic Cloud

Smoke and lava rise from a volcano eruption near Reykjanes, Iceland, 19 July 2025. EPA/JAKOB VEGERFORS
Smoke and lava rise from a volcano eruption near Reykjanes, Iceland, 19 July 2025. EPA/JAKOB VEGERFORS

Iceland experts on Monday blamed a lack of wind for a volcanic cloud that has lingered over much of the island since an eruption last week.

Two craters of a volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula spewed out the sulphur-packed cloud on Wednesday, AFP reported.

The thick haze has left the capital Reykjavik and the southwest of the country in a pollution red alert, the highest level in Iceland's monitoring system.

Hylnur Arnason of the Icelandic Energy and Environment Agency said that volcanic eruptions normally cause air pollution, mainly from the sulphur dioxide that is emitted. The gas becomes sulfate in the atmosphere, creating a volcanic fog.

"It's completely misty in large parts of the country," said Arnason.

"Usually in Iceland we have lots of wind, which would carry the pollution away, but right now we don't," the expert added. "Now it's kind of just sitting over the whole country."

Arnason said the gas was not toxic but could be an "irritant".

The environment agency has recommended that vulnerable people should remain at home and take precautions against the pollution. The wind was expected to start strengthening again late Monday.