Residents of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido face heavy snow and winds on their morning commute.
The strong blizzard brought on by a low pressure system Tuesday felled trees and telephone polls and even tore roofs off in the city of Muroran.
(SOUNDBITE)(Japanese) UNIDENTIFIED MURORAN RESIDENT WHO LOST PART OF HIS ROOF IN BLIZZARD:
"This is scary.. and now my house is leaking."
Forty thousand homes were without power.
The storm has also shut down regional transport and closed Chitose International airport.
Experts warn the weather is not likely to improve until Wednesday.
