nippontiger 8 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Im a bit worried that the winter might be coming to a premature end - JMA have changed their long range forecasts to a mild outlook for most of Japan in March and April. Not much snow on the horizon in the coming week and it looks like our planned trip to Hakuba next weekend will be postponed. Unisys weather maps just show high pressure to the north of japan bringing mild easterly winds - looks very spring-like - no blue colours anywhere near Japan. So, is that it, or can we expect things to turn again in a week or two? Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I'm sure it's not 'it' yet, but pretty safe to say that the peak is behind us. It has felt very spring like for a week or so now really. Wintery stuff usually does come back in March to some extent but I think the mindset needs to click into spring mode now. Round here anyway. Avoids disappointment that way! I actually got my bike out last night and went for a rid around the neighbourhood. Good to see 10cm or so on my car outside this evening though. And I doubt resorts will be struggling to stay open until they want to as well, still 2m outside my house. Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Rich 78 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I hope that's not it, because I'm just about ready to start riding again!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Well, March 11th last year was a powder day (that's not likely a day to ever be forgotten)... there's more to come but how much is anyone's guess. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Ain't nearly over. Not even Golden Week yet! Link to post Share on other sites
nippontiger 8 Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 Yeah, I remember I had a plan to go on March 12th last year and that was a powder day - obviously didnt end up going, but did go a couple of weeks later and had 40cms of fresh! Its just the weather outlook this year isnt looking too promising..... Link to post Share on other sites
tokabochi 9 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I read Gary's comment as being worried that WINTER is over, ie. big snowfalls and winter conditions. And I would say, we will get more snowfall for sure, but definitely past that peak. That doesn't mean that there isn't over 2 months left in places though. Link to post Share on other sites
Metabo Oyaji 71 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Gary, realistically, we're probably moving out of powder season soon (hit some nice side-piste stashes today, but who knows how long that will last), but if one has a broader view, it is not over by a long shot. But this is coming from a person who has had a good time at Yeti in October, and Kagura in May, so discount as you wish. Link to post Share on other sites
SKI 15 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I doubt anyone is questioning the length of the season. Or that you can have fun in May. Naturally we just want regular thick new fluffy layers of deep snow and they become less regular when it gets to March. Not really unexpected surely, with the peak of a season pretty much always being mid-Jan to mid-Feb. Can't stop time chugging along unfortunately! Great thing is how much there is around at this stage this year. Let's hope March can bring some good surprises. Link to post Share on other sites
nippontiger 8 Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 I want more powder days!!!! Last two years, I've had some of my best days skiing in March with knee deep+ fresh powder. Im hoping for the same again this year, but so far its not looking too good, at least for the first week or so..... Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 It definitely looks like the winter pattern is breaking down and it is definitely a bit earlier than usual. Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 snowdude - what do you say on the matter!? Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Yes, March 12th, 13th and 14th of 2011 were very nice up at Hakuba. After finding out my house wasn't swept away by the Tsunami and a wee bout of guilt.....I was out on that Saturday morning....the skiing was glorious. Link to post Share on other sites
JellyBelly 1 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I would like to remind people that what the weather was doing on March 12th one year ago has absolutely no bearing on what it will be doing on March 12th this year. Worth remembering! Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 snowdude - what do you say on the matter!? Yes, what say you ....oh great one. :bow: :bow: Link to post Share on other sites
Chriselle 158 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I would like to remind people that what the weather was doing on March 12th one year ago has absolutely no bearing on what it will be doing on March 12th this year. Worth remembering! Just trying to send positive chilly mojo there Jelly. You know..... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
JellyBelly 1 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Domo! Link to post Share on other sites
snowdude 44 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 We will have a few more wintery blasts, and a few more heavy dumps in March, winter isn't quite over yet! April may well also bring a few surprises too! Same each year though, by the end of Feb the weather breaks up, kind of a set pattern really. Two years ago we had a huge dump of snow here in mid March, actually more than mid winter and it snowed here in mid April too. With so much snow around this year the season is far from over in many places. The weather this year is anyway going to be very unstable and very changable with many extremes, both above and below average temps. It will most likely be wetter than usual too, until at least Autumn. (70% chance) Typhoon season is also likely to start early again this year. (60% chance) Also there will be more cloudy days than average in many parts of the country. (70% chance) I will update my forecast again later if I think things will change! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Snowing in Higashiyama as I type. Been keeping records the past 5 seasons and the average for March in the Niseko Resort Area is 177cm. I have no doubt I'll be skiing powder on Hokkaido in March. Link to post Share on other sites
nippontiger 8 Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share Posted February 27, 2012 Unfortunately Im not going to be able to get up to Hokkaido this year... Another decent powder weekend in Hakuba is what Im hoping for...! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Shame. There's 20 cm on my deck this morning and it's still coming down. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I reckon there has probably been that much here the last 2 days, esp. on the hills. Lovely morning by the looks. I think I need to get out for a half day today. Link to post Share on other sites
rider69 18 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 slide till may there is tons of snow out there. Link to post Share on other sites
nippontiger 8 Posted February 28, 2012 Author Share Posted February 28, 2012 For sure Ill be back out, with or without powder, but it would sure be nice to have a couple more good snowfalls before the spring really sets in...! Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 not that it helps much but a teacher in work today was saying that the Shonan area is gonna get hit with 7-10cms of snow tomorrow!! I thought it was meant to be warming up this week. Link to post Share on other sites
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