Niseko Now: Wednesday 13th January 2016
- Jan 13, 2016
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 23cm
Snowfall at base this season 445cm
Posted on Wednesday 13th January 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
And it most certainly is a very good morning with a lovely 23cm of fresh dry and light snowfall to report to you from here at base. That might be 30+cm higher up. Nice. And it is continuing to snow as well and coming down at quite the rate as well at the moment.
The Niseko Grand Hirafu resort are now just 5cm off hitting an official upper mountain snow depth of 3m, not that official snow depths are quite as important as the fresh snow that we receive each day.
If I were so inclined just around now would be around the time when I'd be bringing out the clichéd and cheesy adjectives to describe conditions! :)
Yes, things are going very well indeed and the folk lining up for those first lifts of the day must be very excited about what's just ahead of them.
Unfortunately, top lifts were affected by strong wind and poor visibility across the mountain from around mid-morning yesterday, but while it continues to snow and visibility will probably be limited up there this morning it seems that wind is not going to be a factor this morning. As we all know though, that can change quickly.
Is that actually a break from snowfall I see on the forecast for around Sunday, and appropriately maybe a bit of sun? It might be (though it's probably back to snowfall from Monday). Until then we can expect further snow every day through until Saturday. I think we all love those beautiful clear sunny days and in a period like this we don't get that many here, so they are to be treasured. Having said that, it would almost be a shame for the consistent daily snowfall to take a break.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -9°, 20cm new crystal snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -12°, wind NW8m/s, 20cm new snowfall, cornice and snowdrift development. Mikaeri 740m: -10.4°, wind SSE0.9m/s, 40cm new snowfall. Hirafu 1000m: -12°, light winds, 20cm new snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW 16m/s,. Kamui Cape WSW 13m/s, 1010hPa, wave 2.1m.
Currently the pressure gradient is shallow and with the approaching low pressure system crystal snow is falling. There has been minor cornice and snowdrift development and propagation from impact is not carrying a great distance. From observation and data analysis, general avalanche risk is low. All gates are expected to be open. Please follow the patrols instructions. Be careful of sudden changes in the weather.
The Moiwa to Annupuri via Mikaeri Ridge trail is now completed. This route is managed and maintained and by The Niseko Avalanche Institute for the purpose of snow research, by the Institute, and where necessary to, aid in rescues. During these times the route will be closed to the public
Please take care over estimating your speed and hitting trees. Snow conditions are fantastic, have a good day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Wednesday 13th January 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 295cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Village
Top - 210cm
Base - 120cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 180cm
Base - 120cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Wednesday 13th January 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 445cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 33 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 24cm (26th and 28th December) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 140cm reported on 12 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.