Niseko Now: Saturday 15th February 2014
- Feb 15, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 961cm
Posted on Saturday 15th February 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a few cm to add this morning and it's an overcast morning here in Hirafu.
Once again on the news we are hearing about heavy snow in Tokyo and large areas of that region of Japan, and them getting more than snowfall us. And once again, it feels odd.
Things are looking more promising now, hopefully starting from later on today, with snow lined up well into the coming week. It should be keeping cold as well. At the moment it is -6 degrees here at base.
Another busy weekend out there. Hope you can enjoy it.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -10C, 3cm in the last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -11C, minor snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -11C, wind SW5m/s, minor snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m: -11C, trace new snow. Annupuri peak 1308m: -9.2C, wind NE5.0m/s. Cape Benkei: S9m/s, Cape Kamui: E3m/s, wave 0.5m, pressure 1028hPa.
Currently we are under influence of a high pressure system which is bringing light winds and a little snow. There has been only minor snowdrift development overnight and general avalanche risk is low. The cold clear weather on Feb 13 has produced a weak frost layer in the snowpack. The possibility of 50cm slab on northeast slopes around 1000m remains. Peak gates are expected to open this morning, please listen to the patrols advice before going through the gates. Skiing down in groups is dangerous, the cracks are hard to see from above, take care loosing control and hitting a tree. Dont stop in the bottom of a gully, that’s where an avalanche will run.
Ducking ropes is strictly forbidden in Niseko. The groomers are in great condition. Have a safe day.
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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 - 210cm
Annupuri:
Top - 315cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Saturday 15th February 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 961cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 71 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 102cm reported on 11 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.