Niseko Now: Wednesday 15th January 2014
- Jan 15, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 700cm
Posted on Wednesday 15th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
So after I posted the report yesterday morning the clouds did clear up and the sun did make an appearance. For a short time at least, it was blue skies and sun along with cold conditions. Beautiful. And those superb snow conditions...!
The clear skies didn't last long though, evidence being the 15cm of fresh snowfall to report from Hirafu this morning.
It continues to snow early this morning as well and that's basically what is forecast for the day today. Though there is a chance of the clouds clearing up some during the day as well. Whatever, it looks like the continued heavy snowfall we have had over the last week or so though is easing off. Even so, the snow clouds probably won't ever be too far away and it should be keeping good and cold.
Top gates should be open this morning. More on that below...
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -8C, 15cm of crystal snow in the past 12 hours. Miwa 800m: -11C, W10m/s, 20cm of fresh, good visibility. Annupuri 1150m: -13C, W10m/s, 20cm of fresh, moderate development of snowdrift. Hirafu 1000m: -11C, 20cm of fresh. Peak 1308m: WSW4.5m/s, -16℃, wind forecast at noon: W15m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape WNW8m/s, Kamui cape W11m/s, 1.6m waves, 1023hPa.
Calm conditions under high-pressure zone. According to observation and data evaluations, no drastic snowdrift development can be observed and the overall avalanche risk is low. Peak gate 2 & 3 are scheduled to open at 10am. Ask for the ski patrol’s advice before stepping out the gates. Avalanche hazard is still high the Backbowl and Higashi-One steeps & knolls around the cornices. Better not take it too easy and drop into these slopes without determination. If it slides, it will be big. Better avoid the valley bottoms.
The number of people ducking ropes is increasing. Niseko area strongly demands all people to respect the Niseko Rules; no matter where you’re from, what ethnic groups, how much experience or knowledge you might have. Ropes must not be crossed for any reasons. One track under the ropes leads many others to do the same and quickly increase the chances of accidents to happen.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 400cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 310cm
Base - 220cm
Annupuri:
Top - 245cm
Base - 200cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Wednesday 15th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 700cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 46 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 302cm reported on 15 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.