On the formation of snow monsters at Zao, an NHK documentary I came across few weeks back explained why. As the wind blow off the Sea of Japan towards Zao mountain range, it encounters the Asahi mountain range first. The crucial factor is that both Zao and Asahi mountain ranges are of similar heights. The heavier clouds dumped most of the moisture upon hitting Asahi mountain range. The lighter clouds with less moisture are pushed over Asahi towards Zao. Upon hitting the trees at Zao, the ice crystals are formed (the video below explains this phenomenon). If the Zao mountains are much lower tha
