Niseko Now: Friday 14th February 2014
- Feb 14, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 958cm
Posted on Friday 14th February 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It's Friday morning and I have good news - snowfall to report! Yes, it's back to snow. Actually, it was back to the snow during the day yesterday...
It's not knee deep alas, but 10cm or so here in the village area and as you can see below from the Avalanche Report today 20cm being reported from the mountain there. Yey, as they say.
We are told not to expect much snow today - if any, the light snow seems to have eased off now and there's more and more blue sky appearing now - but snow is forecast for the over the weekend and into early next week. Some forecasts say it'll be tomorrow and some say Sunday.
It is currently -6 degrees here in Hirafu and while it should get very cold overnight tonight, tomorrow is expected to be somewhat milder than today with highs closing in on freezing point. Especially if we end up with the sun that some forecasts tell us might happen.
So kind of a mixed outlook really and difficult to read. I'll tell you exactly what is happening tomorrow morning... tomorrow morning.
In the meantime, I must get out and enjoy that new fresh layer we have. Looks like lots of people have the same idea!
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -8C, 20cm in the last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -12C, Wind NW12m/s, 20cm new snow, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -15C, wind NW15m/s, 20cm new snow, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m: -11C, light winds, 10cm new snow. Annupuri peak 1308m: -16.2C, wind WNW7.8m/s. Cape Benkei: NW15m/s, Cape Kamui: WSW10m/s, wave 1.4m, pressure 1026hPa.
A high pressure system is bringing strong westerly winds into the area, this has caused movement of snow and snowdrift development on leeward slopes . On steep slopes and knolls above 1000m the avalanche risk is higher. The snow in forest although not deep, is reset and should be good. Snow flurries and gusting winds are expected to continue today. Avoid riding steep slopes(>40deg) above 1000m as there is possibility of up to 50cm fracture and avalanche to occur. Opening of peak gates yet to be decided. Please respect the patrols decision.
Newly formed snowdrifts are very weak and prone to collapse easily, causing surface avalanches. In the Niseko area, once winds reach 18m/s the avalanche risk rises dramatically. Accidents can be avoided by recognising the changing conditions and taking appropriate actions. A slope that was save yesterday may not be today.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 380cm
Base - 190cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 350cm
Base - 220cm
Annupuri:
Top - 310cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Friday 14th February 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 958cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 70 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 99cm reported on 10 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.