Niseko Now: Monday 15th February 2016
- Feb 15, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 729cm
Posted on Monday 15th February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It is a better morning here in Niseko - a hearty welcome back to colder conditions and snow.
I'm certainly glad that nasty weekend is over, I can tell you. Hopefully all thoughts of those silly warm conditions and even sillier rain are out of the system for the moment and we can all get back to some winter.
Strong winds are still with us though and almost certainly going to be playing naughty with the lifts this morning - details as they are at 8:30am added below. Probably best to keep an eye on that information if you are planning on venturing out.
It's definitely colder this morning and there is some fresh snow on the ground - slightly over 4cm here at my base - but that of course won't be enough to cover the damage done from the weather over the weekend... we need a decent amount of fresh snow for that.
It was snowing just before but as I prepare this report there's actually a bit of sun peeking through the clouds and some blue sky to be seen in places as well. Hopefully that's just a temporary thing as we are actually forecast snow for the day.
This week is looking promising and we will very probably get back to the regular daily snowfall that we all like to see so conditions should be gradually improving once again.
Wind is also probably going to be something that I have to mention every day as well, but maybe we'll just have to put up with that if we want to get that fresh snow.
Conditions are not ideal - as always, be careful out there and remember the dangers as well as the fun.
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Resort specific lift opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 4, King Number 4, Ace Number 3 and King Number 3 lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
The top Hanazono Number 3 lift is on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
Niseko Village
The Niseko Gondola and top Wonderland Chair lift are on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
Niseko Annupuri
The Annupuri Gondola and top Jumbo Number 4 lift are on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -6°C, 10cm crushed crystal snow. Moiwa 800m: -10°C, SW15m/s, snowdrift development. Mikaeri 740m: -10.6°C, S6.8m/s, 50cm snowdrift development. Hirafu Peak Ridgeline: -10°C, W10m/s, trace new snow. Annupuri 1000m: snowpack depth 250cm. Annupuri 1150m: -14°C, NNW29m/s, Coastal data: Benkei Cape: WNW21m/s. Kamui Cape W15m/s, 998hPa, wave 3.3m.
After the passing of low pressure system and the steepening atmospheric pressure gradient, the mountains and seas are experiencing severe weather.
Although only a small amount of new snow has fallen, leeward snowdrifts formed over yesterday's refrozen, rain effected snow will collapse easily. Wind and snowdrift development is expected to continue, increasing avalanche risk to high today. All peak gates will be closed. Although lower elevation lifts will be running today, avoid cornice slopes looking for fresh snow. From observation and data, there is a high possibility of very deep surface slab avalanches on steep slopes where deep snowdrifts have formed.
Most accidents happen during storms on leeward slopes, Take care, even riding in the trees the snow is rough and tricky. Conditions should improve tomorrow. The weather is bad, make cautious decisions today.
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Official resort snow depths as of Monday 15th February 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 300cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Village
Top - 310cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 320cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Monday 15th February 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 729cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 57 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 31cm (17th January) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 303cm reported on 26 days February 2016 snowfall 121cm 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.