TOKYO, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Japan's weather agency on Monday urged people to exercise caution as heavy snow is forecast to hit mainly northern to western areas along the Sea of Japan through Tuesday.

In the six hours through 6 a.m. local time on Monday, snowfall reached about 20 cm in Hirakawa City in Aomori Prefecture, Minamiaizu Town in Fukushima Prefecture, and Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

In the 24 hours through Tuesday morning, up to 60 cm of snowfall is forecast in the Hokuriku region and 50 cm in Hokkaido and the Tohoku and Kanto-Koshin regions, due to a powerful winter pressure pattern, the JMA said.

Weather officials urged people primarily in northern through western regions along the Sea of Japan to be vigilant against avalanches and snow accumulation on electric wires and trees. ■