Niseko Now: Sunday 10th February 2013
- Feb 10, 2013
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 1076cm
Weather overview Cloudy, light snow
Wind
OK
Temperature -9C base / -14C top
Visibility Good
Posted at 9:06am on Sunday 10th February 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
So yesterday was the first day of the long weekend and it was busy. Lots and lots of people. Only to be expected though. I was in last night with a bit of a cold but I have heard that it was a particularly lively night out in Hirafu. Hopefully you remembered to book a table at your fave restaurant well in advance!
Anyway, yes, the excellent snow conditions made up for the crowds (maybe). But it was really great yesterday.
This morning we have up to 10cm of new snow to report and it is a cold start to the day. -9 degrees now with a low up top of -14 being reported by Niseko Grand Hirafu as of just after 7:30am. Overnight temperatures were down to minus sixteen.
There's not much of a wind either and so lifts on the mountain are all planned to be running as normal.
An overcast kind of look of things over towards Mt Yotei, but we have blue skies over the Niseko mountains with just a few white fluffy clouds hanging around. The sun is shining down. It will be another good day. Perhaps some snow showers later on and into tomorrow morning, but nothing major is forecast for the moment.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Avalanche Information
Niseko base 6am: -12C, 15cm of crystal snow in the past 12 hours and calm morning. Moiwa 800m: W3m/s, no development of snowdrifts, clear sky and -15C. Annupuri peak: SW1.1m/s, -16.4C. Coastal data: SW2m/s, 0.8m waves and 1014hPa.
The atmospheric pressure isobars are spaced out and the weather is calm. There are no notable developments of snowdrifts, the snowpack is stable and the general avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are scheduled to open at 10am.
Although the snowpack is mostly stable, possibilities of surface slab avalanches (from Feb 7th low-pressure snowfall layer) are still to be considered in leeward slopes of Kozannosawa (Backbowl), Osawa, Mikaeri bowl and Higashione. A 120cm slab slide has been observed yesterday. Better not stimulate knolls and upper areas of open steep slopes. Do not traverse under cornices; if an avalanche is triggered, it might kill everyone skiing at the bottom. Always avoid the valley bottoms when skiing out of the valleys and do not stop until you reach a safe zone. Surface slab avalanches runs down and along the valley bottom at high speed (>100km/h).
Always keep in mind that skiing out of bounds involves great dangers. Ask the ski patrol's advice and be well prepared before stepping out of the gates. Beware of cracks, as they are difficult to see from above.
Have a nice day.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Sunday 10th February 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1076cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 71 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (27th January) November 2012 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 days December 2012 snowfall 418cm reported on 27 days January 2013 snowfall 443cm reported on 26 days February 2013 snowfall 97cm 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 Kutchan/Niseko. 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.