Hakuba Now: Tuesday 15th January 2013
- Jan 15, 2013
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Hakuba region of Nagano
New snowfall at base 20cm
Snowfall at base this season 290cm
Weather overview Snow
Wind
Light to moderate
Temperature -
Visibility Generally poor
Posted on Tuesday 15th January 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Hakuba Now report can be found here.
Heavy snow!
It's our turn now with probably 30cm of new snowfall in the village since last report.
Yesterday saw some pretty wild snow conditions in areas of Japan that aren't used to - or prepared for - snowfall. While this didn't directly cause any problems in Hakuba where we are used to snow, of course, there were some serious transportation problems for people heading back to Tokyo and region after the long weekend. Stories of people spending many hours in their cars and having to find places to stay overnight on the way home - journeys that usually take a few hours taking 10 hours, or even becoming impossible.
Main access roads from yesterday are still closed in some areas, so it's still an ongoing situation.
Interesting snowfall numbers from around the valley. Goryu and 47 report between 10-20cm; to the north in Otari, Hakuba Cortina are reporting 40-50cm of fresh snowfall since yesterday. (Though due to avalanche rise the Number 4 and Number 5 lifts and runs serviced by them at Hakuba Cortina are not operating today).
It will be deep out there today.
Overcast skies, continued snow and strong winds this mornin. The wind may affect lifts at some resorts this morning - at time of writing I can confirm the top area of Hakuba Goryu is on standby. One of those days when it's best to check with resorts for the up-to-minute situation.
Some dangerous avalanche conditions out there with the new snowfall, especially in the Otari region. Wind-loaded lee slopes and cornices best avoided. Cool headed thinking necessary and extreme care advised outside of resort areas. Be careful out there.
Things should have calmed down by this evening and we might get to see the sun tomorrow. Snow forecast to be back with us on Thursday.
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Official snow depths and operations @ Tuesday 15th January 2013 AM:
Hakuba Goryu:
10-20cm of new snow reported by Hakuba Goryu this morning.
Official snow depths:
Alps daira - 270cm;
Toomi - 120cm;
Iimori - 90cm
Hakuba 47:
15cm of new snow reported by Hakuba 47 this morning.
Official snow depth:
Upper - 210cm
Lower - 145cm
Happo-one:
Official snow depth:
Usagidaira - 190cm
Nakiyama/Shirakaba - 90cm
Sakka - 90cm
Tsugaike Kogen:
Official snow depth:
Upper slopes - 260cm
Lower slopes - 100cm
Hakuba Cortina:
40-50cm new snow reported by Hakuba Cortina since yesterday.
Official snow depth:
Upper slopes - 280cm
Lower slopes - 175cm
Hakuba Iwatake:
Official snow depth:
Upper slopes - 350cm
Lower slopes - 70cm
Hakuba Sanosaka:
Official snow depth:
100cm
Hakuba Minekata:
80cm
Hakuba Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Tuesday 15th January 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 290cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 30 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th and 10th December) November 2012 snowfall 47cm reported on 4 days December 2012 snowfall 185cm reported on 19 days January 2013 snowfall 58cm reported on 7 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Hakuba. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.