In the dialect of Shiozawa, a "Houra" is similar to an avalanche, occurring around December. Snow piles up high in the mountains, and falls down when it freezes. Because the fresh snow is still light, the snow on the top layer of the mountain is blown away by the wind and falls from tree branches. The snow rolls down along the slopes of the mountains, gradually growing as it gathers more and more snow, until it becomes like a boulder, weighing tens of thousands of tons. The snow keeps accumulating until it turns into a “snow tsunami.” This “snow tsunami” has enough force to uproot trees, push boulders and crush houses. The pretext and aftermath is no different from that of an avalanche.
The main difference between an avalanche and a “houra” is the level of advance warning. While there may be signs that an avalanche is coming, there is not so much as a sound when a “houra” comes. The snow is still fresh in December, so you cannot run far. Your feet sink with each step. Those who are unlucky enough to lose their lives in a “houra” are only found months later after the snow melts. Depending on the region, "Houra" can also be called "Ote", "Waya", "Awa", or "Hatari." In mountainous regions, people make sure to place the site for their homes in areas where they can avoid avalanches and houra as much as possible. There are many stories about entire villages that have been crushed by houra.