Locals cleared thick layers of snow outside their homes in Japan.

Footage shows a homeowner ploughing through the accumulated snow in their backyard in Obihiro, Hokkaido, on February 4.

The city was reportedly battered by continuous snowfall, resulting in 4 ft (1.2 m) of snow in just 12 hours—a record-breaking weather event.

Local media reported that the severe winter conditions caused major disruptions to traffic and air travel.

The extreme snowfall forced more than 370 schools to close.

Heavy snowfall was also recorded in Kushiro and Sapporo, with authorities receiving dozens of calls from stranded drivers across Hokkaido.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said two powerful low-pressure systems are moving on both sides of the country, bringing cold air into the region.

The agency predicted up to 3.2 ft (1 m) of snowfall in northwestern Japan and an additional 1.6 ft (0.49 m) in Hokkaido over the next 24 hours through Wednesday evening.