Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, was hit by intense snowfall.
On February 4, 2025, the city of Obihiro recorded a staggering 3.94 feet of snow in just 12 hours — a national record for the heaviest 12-hour snowfall in Japan’s history.
At least one person lost their life, and several others were injured. Shocked residents admitted, “We’ve never seen snowfall this extreme before.”
Roads became impassable, shutting down public transportation and train services, while airports suspended operations as runways were buried under snow.
In Obihiro, around 380 schools canceled classes, as snowdrifts often exceeded the height of children.
Utility crews worked nonstop. A total of 47 companies, including construction firms, deployed 255 snowplows running at full capacity. Heavy snowfall was also reported in Kushiro and Sapporo.
Lately, disaster records are being broken at an alarming rate. And it’s no surprise — natural catastrophes are becoming more intense and destructive.
Yet humanity remains unprepared to face this growing climate threat. Scientific divisions, the lack of a unified global research center, and slow responses to crises could lead to irreversible consequences.
Only by joining forces as a global community can we confront these challenges and preserve our planet for future generations.
Watch the full analysis in the video: "Forecast for 2025: Global Changes in Earth's System."