Niseko Now: Wednesday 15th February 2017
- Feb 15, 2017
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 502cm
Posted on Wednesday 15th February 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A bit of blue sky in the afternoon yesterday and a bit of snow to report this morning - 2cm. Yey!
There will again of course likely a bit more than that at higher elevations.
Light snow is still falling now but it is not expected to continue for long and something of a clear-up is likely later on today.
We're looking at the prospect of some rather warm conditions tomorrow - into positive numbers - but you really (really) want the good news, don't you? ;)
Yes, from Friday we can expect the temps to drop again... and for snow to start snowing. Fingers crossed it'll be proper decent snow that will continue for at least a few days and into next week.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Mountain base 6am : -5°, light winds, 3cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -7°, minor snowdrift development from westerly wind, 5cm new snow. Annupuri 1150m, -9°, W9m/s, 5cm new snow, snowpack 170cm. Hirafu 1250m, -10°, W5m/s, 3cm new snow. Coastal data: Kamui Cape:WSW8m/s, 1020hPa, wave 0.8m.
At 5am observation light winds above 800m and little noticeable snowdrift development. The mountain is covered in a thin blanket of fresh snow and the overall avalanche risk is low. Around elevation 1000m, East ridge, Back bowl sidewall, 30 degree slopes, there is possibility of snow drifts fracturing on 14 Feb layer. From the snowfall transition and impact test the lower snowpack is stable however take care around knolls and under cornices. Always remember there is never 100% safety in the mountains and make appropriate preparations before going out of bounds. All gates are expected to open. This information is issued to prevent accidents of ski resort users. Have a good day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Wednesday 15th February 2017:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 295cm
Base - 125cm
Niseko Village
Top - 280cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 315cm
Base - 140cm
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Night skiing is planned until Monday 20th March 2017 at the Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village resort areas. There is no nighta in the Hanazono area.
Niseko Now 2016-2017 season |
Data as of Wednesday 15th February 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 502cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 62 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 36cm (16th December) November 2016 snowfall 110cm reported on 14 days December 2016 snowfall 181cm reported on 22 days January 2017 snowfall 152cm reported on 18 days February 2017 snowfall 59cm reported on 8 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.