Niseko Now: Sunday 16th February 2014
- Feb 16, 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 971cm
Posted on Sunday 16th February 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Crazy scenes continue down around Tokyo and surrounding prefectures in particular with some tales of epic snowfalls being recorded on the plains. It's not much use there is it?!
Anyway as that system moves north, we are being hit with strong winds and noticeably warmer temperatures as well - it's not all that colder than freezing point here this morning, but hopefully will be getting colder.
Oh yes, we do have about 10-15cm of fresh snow this morning, though I wouldn't rank it as classic Niseko snow, milder conditions explaining that.
It's generally just cloudy at the moment.
Stronger winds on the mountain are affecting the following lifts at the time of writing:
Niseko Grand Hirafu: King 3 and King 4, Ace 4 lifts
Annupuri: Jumbo 4 lift
Niseko Village: Wonderland Chair and Niseko Gondola
Very possibly that situation will change during the day.
Snow showers are forecast to continue over the next few days and as I said hopefully along with colder conditions.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -3C, 20cm new snow in the last 12hrs, snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: -6C, wind N15m/s, major snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -6C, wind N20m/s, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m: -5C, snowdrift development. Annupuri peak 1308m: -8.8C, wind N13.8m/s. Cape Benkei: NNE6m/s, Cape Kamui: SSW2m/s, wave -calm, pressure 1015hPa.
The newly formed snowdrifts are unstable and will fracture easily. From observation and snowfall data the avalanche risk is high. On steep open leeward faces a fast running surface slab avalanche, with a fracture up it 50cm, is likely to occur. Drifts formed from low pressure snowfall are not well bonded and will collapse easily. Be careful around cornices, knolls and steep slopes above 800m.
Peak gates 2&3 will be closed today, Gate 6 yet to be decided. Please follow patrols advice.
Accidents can be avoided if you understand the dangers of snowdrifts correctly. Many accidents happen during and just after bad weather and storms. Avalanches are a natural occurrence and only become an accident if people are involved. The snow in the trees is getting better. Have a safe day. Take care hitting trees and falling into cracks.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 370cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 350cm
Base - 210cm
Annupuri:
Top - 315cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Sunday 16th February 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 971cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 72 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 112cm reported on 12 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.