Mindestens 35 Tote und fast 400 Verletzte, als 6,5 Fuß Schnee über Japan hereinbrechen, und die Behörden warnen vor drohenden Lawinen

Is that normal for them?

Sure isn’t normal out here, we’ve barely had a winter this year. I had to shovel maybe twice in as many months and they were very mild. Could have done it with a broom.

The previous year we had a fair amount; several past winters were also way too light. Leaves me wondering if other regions are getting it instead. I remember past winters from growing up where we would have feet of snow piled. One year we were snowed in because it blocked the door and had to go out a window. Freezing temperatures too while we haven’t even hit negatives this year.

I’m loathe to complain because I detest the snow and cold. But it isn’t normal and cannot be good.

Japan is a country. This post is ignorant as fuck

Some regions in Japan do get heavy snow, but this level is extreme. Wishing safety to everyone affected.

6.5 feet??? Like all at once? Holy moly 😯

Japan is big… It happened in Hokkaido.

I hope nobody else is injured. Come on, universe.

are we in some day after tomorrow shit

Hokkaido resident here — it’s been more snow than usual here, yes, and there have been a lot of cancellations of trains and buses but honestly it’s business as usual. Schools had only one snow day (due to train cancellations, not weather) but other than that, it doesn’t feel much different. 

I’m from Minnesota, so some marked differences between how they deal with snow here include not using salt on the roads (but it is plowed very often), leaving out public bags of rocks for traction that anyone can sprinkle on the sidewalk, winter tires being required by law on all cars, and people rely on hand warmers wayyyy more here than back home (like the disposable packet kinds). My home is heated by kerosene but it’s actually way too hot inside everywhere. Temperatures outside linger around 0 degrees Celsius so while there is a lot of melting, it’s also constantly snowing and blanketing things in fresh powder so we don’t get a lot of the nasty brown muck that piles up everywhere in Minnesota. It’s warmer than Minnesota but more snow, which is absolutely the best of both worlds, dontcha know?

That polar thing being destroyed is really hammering Hokkaido. Hang in there!

I hope everyone is safe. Terrible to hear.