Hakuba Now: Saturday 16th February 2013
- Feb 16, 2013
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Hakuba region of Nagano
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 463cm
Weather overview Snow
Wind Strong
Temperature -
Visibility Poor
Posted on Saturday 16th February 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Hakuba Now report can be found here.
There is lots of snow to report from Hakuba this morning. It is a very cold, snowy and windy morning. At the moment it is -13 degrees on Usagidaira at 1400m, and there's a 7.6m/s wind blowing.
The new snowfall numbers being reported from around the village do not really represent the situation as seen from the village today. Goryu and 47 are both reporting 10cm of snow and Happo is keeping it's same snow depth. After speaking with a trusted friend over at Happo resort, that reason being that the strong winds are blowing it around on the mountain. Down in the village where there is less wind and the snow has settled the story is quite different.
My personal observation is probably there has been around 25-35cm since yesterday in places, but it's one of those days when you ask different people around the valley and they'll probably all give you a different number. Whatever the number, it's a lot of snow and not the kind of day to nitpick over exact numbers! The numbers I am putting below are since yesterday morning.
Actually the resorts in Otari village are reporting lot more snow on slopes - Hakuba Cortina reporting 40-50cm of new this morning on top of what we got yesterday.
There's going to be pockets of deep, and thin coverings this morning due to the wind. Extreme care is needed out there today with increased avalanche risks. After the milder temperatures we had, this new sudden drop in temperature and changing wind patterns has put rapid load on East aspect slopes and cross loaded South and North facing slopes. It's one of those times when people should be staying on the slopes supported by the resorts, ie. stay in bounds. Visibility on the slopes actually doesn't look too bad in places now, though poor in others. Along with the snow risks, if not knowing where you are going is an issue, be that extra bit careful. Check the resort maps and follow people. But please don't be tempted to follow them into places they shouldn't be!
Not all of the resort terrain will actually be available by the looks though. As of now it looks like the top lifts and runs at both Hakuba Goryu and Hakuba Happo-one are not going to be moving early on due to the wind conditions up there. The number 4 and 5 lifts at Hakuba Cortina are not going to be moving along with associated courses there. 47 looks to be preparing for all lifts to be moving. This will be a fluid situation and so for the latest please contact the resorts or check their websites.
After the snow of today, tomorrow is still set to be somewhat calmer and clearer. We're back to potentially heavy snowfall on Monday though.
Take care out there and have lots of fun!
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Official snow depths and operations @ Saturday 16th February 2013 AM:
Hakuba Goryu:
20cm of new snow reported by Hakuba Goryu since yesterday.
Official snow depths:
Alps daira - 290cm;
Toomi - 150cm;
Iimori - 125cm
Hakuba 47:
20cm new snowfall reported by Hakuba 47 since yesterday.
Official snow depth:
Upper - 250cm
Lower - 190cm
Happo-one:
Official snow depth:
Usagidaira - 280cm
Nakiyama/Shirakaba - 130cm
Sakka - 130cm
Tsugaike Kogen:
Official snow depth:
Upper slopes - 340cm
Lower slopes - 160cm
Hakuba Cortina:
50+cm of new snow reported by Hakuba Cortina since yesterday.
Official snow depth:
Upper slopes - 390cm
Lower slopes - 255cm
Hakuba Iwatake:
Official snow depth:
Upper slopes - 175cm
Lower slopes - 75cm
Hakuba Sanosaka:
Official snow depth:
150cm
Hakuba Minekata:
120cm
Hakuba Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Saturday 16th February 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 463cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 49 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (9th and 10th December, 25th January) November 2012 snowfall 47cm reported on 4 days December 2012 snowfall 185cm reported on 19 days January 2013 snowfall 149cm reported on 14 days February 2013 snowfall 82cm reported on 12 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.