Niseko Now: Wednesday 12th February 2014
- Feb 12, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 948cm
Posted on Wednesday 12th February 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I'm pleased to be able to report 5cm of fresh snow this morning. Even with the chance of there being a bit more than that higher up (though not at 1150m according to the Avalanche Report this morning), it's not enough to refresh the mountain after the run of days we have had without any new snow - but it's definitely better than 0cm!
We have clear blue skies over the Niseko region, the sun is out, it's calm and it's keeping cold. Actually I am seeing that it apparently dipped down to minus 16 degrees overnight in Kutchan. Currently it is around -11 degrees.
There's not much else for me to report this morning.
Weekly forecast is still not looking like there's any major snow on the into next week. We might have to make do with smaller top-ups like the overnight one we got.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -10C, 5cm new snow crystals in the last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -13C, 5cm new snow, light winds. Annupuri 1150m: -12C, wind W7m/s, 5cm new snow. Annupuri peak 1308m: -14.2, SW0.3m/s Cape Benkei: SW3m/s, Cape Kamui: SW9m/s, wave 1.2m, pressure 1027hPa.
Isobars are spaced widely apart over Niseko and high pressure system is bringing calm weather at the sea and mountains. 5cm of light snow crystals fell overnight. There is high probability of shallow surface avalanches on steep south facing slopes, general avalanche risk is low though. Peak gates are expected to open this morning. Please listen to the patrols advice before passing through the gates.
Lately there has been increasing numbers of people ducking ropes and claiming no knowledge of Niseko Rules. Accommodation providers, guides, instructors and everybody involved in snow tourism have a duty to pass on the correct information about Niseko Rules. The rules are there to maintain a minimum safety level and protect our freedom to ride out of bounds. Beware there are many dangers on the mountain .
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 375cm
Base - 190cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 350cm
Base - 220cm
Annupuri:
Top - 305cm
Base - 220cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Wednesday 12th February 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 948cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 69 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 89cm reported on 9 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.