Niseko Now: Sunday 10th March 2013
- Mar 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 1372cm
Weather overview Snow, cloud
Wind
Moderate-strong
Temperature -2C base / -10C top
Visibility Not very good
Posted at 8:40am on Sunday 10th March 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
5-10cm of new snow this morning to report since yesterday here from my vantage point in the Hirafu village area.
Snow and wind is what's happening this morning. It's not as cold as yesterday, but stronger winds and top lifts at each of the resorts (as well as the Niseko Gondola at Niseko Village) are closed this morning.
Looking forward to more snow today and overnight into tomorrow.
I have been reading some of the reports from other areas of Japan. Happily, spring hasn't taken a hold on Niseko as it seems to have other places. Long may it continue.
Update at 1pm:
Winds.
Currently only the lower lifts at Niseko Grand Hirafu (Ace Family, Ace No1, King No1, Holiday No1) and Niseko Village (Banzai Chair, Community Chair, Morino Chair) are operating. The Niseko Annupuri and Hanazono areas are completely closed. Niseko Village reporting wind speeds of up to 29m/s!
Avalanche Information
Niseko base 6am: -6C, 5cm of new snow this morning with low pressure front. Moiwa 800m: 10cm of new snow, no snowdrift development, -6C. Annupuri peak: -9.8C,snow depth at 1000m: 400cm, wind predicted to be WNW25m/s at 1500m. Coastal data: wind SE13m/s, 0.5m waves, pressure 993hPa.
Crystaline snowfall with the passing of low pressure system. Under lift lines and steep slopes will easily avalanche. Even though slabs are small, they are heavy and dangerous. As westerly wind picks up this morning, avalanche risk will become HIGH due to rapid growth of snowdrifts. All peak gates will be closed for the safety of all users.
Be careful of lightening strikes on ridge lines. Do not duck ropes to leave the resort area.
Most accidents occur during bad weather. Be aware, the avalanche risk is HIGH on all the local mountains, careful planning and route selection is needed. Just because a slope was safe yesterday doesn't mean it is safe today. Spring conditions are not here yet.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Sunday 10th March 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1372cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 95 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 316cm reported on 24 days March 2013 snowfall 77cm 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.