Niseko Now: Wednesday 13th March 2013
- Mar 13, 2013
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 1389cm
Weather overview Light snow, sleet, rain
Wind
Varied
Temperature 1C base / -2C top
Visibility Poor
Posted at 8:17am on Wednesday 13th March 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Not the best of things to report this morning.
The resorts are calling it snow or sleet - and I have no reason to doubt them of course, and a look at the webcams shows it to be the case - but here at village level it has been raining. The temperatures is just nudging over into the positives and it feels rather mild.
Not enough wind today to cause the lifts any issues and so it looks like the resorts will all be open as planned this morning.
Avalanche Information
Niseko base 6am: 0C, sleet. Moiwa 800m: wind SW5m/s, wet snow falling from low pressure system, -2C. Annupuri peak: -4.5C. Coastal data: wind W13m/s, 1.5m waves, pressure 1003hPa. Annupuri snow depth: 400cm at 1000m.
Warm air flowing in with current low pressure system, visibility poor above 600m. Snow and westerly wind is expected to intensify as the day progresses. From data and observation the 9th Mar layer has stablised and avalanche risk in the morning is low. Below 500m, wet snow avalanches will easily trigger under lift lines and other steep slopes. 12th Mar layer will become significant in future snowpack.
Peak gates 2 & 3 and all other gates will be open as soon they can be prepared, but are dependent on weather. Please follow ski patrols instructions.
Over many years Niseko Rules and the gate system have been developed and allow anyone to enter side and backcountry. However please remember that once you pass through the gates you are not in the resort anymore and there are many dangers present. It is recommended you carry at least beacon, probe and shovel.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Wednesday 13th March 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1389cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 97 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 94cm 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.