Niseko Now: Monday 10th March 2014
- Mar 10, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 1129cm
Posted on Monday 10th March 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Before I looked out of the window this morning I had heard from a friend in Sapporo describing the near on 30cm of snow outside, so I thought we might be on for that and more.... but no, Sapporo wins today!
So what's our haul here in Niseko? Just over 5cm of light fresh snow outside my place, with the report below saying similar. The snow continues to fall now so we should be getting more of those cm. Less wind from the go this morning so I would expect lifts to be open this morning.
Over the next few days temperatures are looking likely to remain cold and snow is due to be falling from time to time. Winter is sticking around for a while longer.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -7C, 8cm of new snow in 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: calm wind, -9C, 5cm of fresh. Annupuri 1150m: NW5m/s, -13C, 5cm of fresh, 320cm snowpack. Hirafu 1000m: -11C, 5cm of new snow. Peak 1308m: NNW5.5m/s, -13.2C. Coastal data: cape Benkei WSW2m/s, cape Kamui E2m/s, 0.6m waves, 1007hPa.
The isobar gradient in western sea of Japan is small and the mountain is under a calm weather. The snowdrift development has settle down and the snowpack is stabilizing. The overnight snowfall is due to a passing small low-pressure system. The general avalanche risk is relatively low, however caution is still required in 40° steep slopes as slides and sluffs are still very likely to occur. Collapsing cornices can also trigger larger avalanches as they fall. Be extra prudent around cornices of the Backbowl (Kozan no sawa), Higashi-One, Osawa (Annupur bowl) and Mikaeri bowl (Moiwa). Stay away from valley bottoms. A thin layer of fast snow is blanketing the snowpack in the trees. Peak gates' opening is yet to be determined. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions and refrain from ducking ropes. One track left under the rope will lead many others to do the same and increase the chances of accidents to happen. Look out for cracks! Have a nice day.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 415cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 390cm
Base - 220cm
Annupuri:
Top - 395cm
Base - 200cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Monday 10th March 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 1129cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 88 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th January) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 461cm reported on 29 days February 2014 snowfall 178cm reported on 20 days March 2014 snowfall 92cm reported on 8 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.