Niseko Now: Monday 13th January 2014
- Jan 13, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 30cm
Snowfall at base this season 645cm
Posted on Monday 13th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Mad snow at the moment in Niseko.
On the mountain yesterday there was considerably more than the amount we had noted down here in the village area, and it just kept on coming with heavy snow conditions.
This morning there's yet another 30cm or so here, so let's presume that there was once again more up on the mountain. Let's forget about the fine details of numbers though... it's simply very deep out there at the moment.
We're at that point when some of people are wishing for the snow to stop and for the sun to come out - these kinds of conditions every day are not for everyone.
It's also extremely cold this morning. A moderate wind doesn't seem to be affecting lifts too much, with just a few running at reduced speed as I write this report. Limited visibility as you might expect.
So it's full on winter conditions - so go out prepared. Read the Avalanche Report and stay safe. Most of all, enjoy it!
We might see a slight let up tomorrow but generally we still have snow forecast every day into the weekend.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -12C, 20cm of broken crystal snow in the past 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: -13C, strong NW wind with snowdrift development, bad visibility. Annupuri 1150m: -16C, considerable development of cornice and snowdrifts. Peak 1308m: NW14.1m/s, -18.1℃. Wind forecast at noon: NW18m/s. Hirafu 1000m: 80cm snowfall in 12 hours with development of snowdrifts. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW13m/s, Kamui cape NNW10m/s, 1.5m waves, 1014hPa.
Snowclouds are still widely present over the Sea of Japan and stormy condition continues. According to snowfall transition and data evaluation, the overall avalanche risk is high. Refrain from stimulating knolls and open steep slopes. An avalanche occurred in Higashi-One no.3 gully yesterday, ripping the skis off a skier. The cornices are still very unstable & heavy, and can easily burry a person if falling with it. Snow is deep in the trees as well, boarders should consider carrying snowshoes.
Gates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 will be closed. Keep in mind that accidents often happen during poor weather conditions. Be prudent. The conditions will turn better soon. Better not push it too hard today, go for a quick ride and better go chill out in an onsen.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 370cm
Base - 200cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 290cm
Base - 210cm
Annupuri:
Top - 235cm
Base - 200cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Monday 13th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 645cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 44 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 35cm (14th, 15th and 24th December) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 247cm reported on 13 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.