The first cyclone of 2015 has formed off the coast of Australia, while in Japan the first heavy snowfall of the year 2015 has been witnessed.
Cyclone OLA
There is a category 1 cyclone just off the coast of Queensland, Australia. This cyclone might weaken as it moves south-southwestwards at a speed of 15 kmph. Currently the maximum sustained wind speed close to the eye of the cyclone is 150 kmph, which will reduce to 120 kmph by Tuesday morning. The cyclone is 300 km northwest of New Caledonia and is in open waters, it is not expected to pose any danger to New Caledonia because it is not expected to make landfall.
Japan snow
Heavy snowfall has occurred over the weekend in Japan which was triggered by a low pressure system and cold temperatures along the coast of Japan. The main Island of Honshu has been the most affected. The locations where heavy snowfall has been witnessed are Otari and Nagano prefecture where over one meter snowfall has been recorded. Other areas include Kinki region surrounding Osaka recorded 60 cm of snow. 50 cm of snow was recorded over Tohoku region in northeast Japan to Chuguku region in western Japan. Till Saturday 60 cm of snow has already been experienced on the pacific coast of Japan. Over 80 cm of snowfall is expected in Hokuriku region on the Sea of Japan. Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has warned of waves up to six meters in Izu and Ogasawara Islands south of Tokyo. This snow has brought travel disruptions in the form of rail and road delays. The snowfall has caused several express ways to be closed in and out of Kyoto and some domestic flights were canceled out of Itami airport in Osaka