Niseko Now: Tuesday 16th February 2016
- Feb 16, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 15cm
Snowfall at base this season 744cm
Posted on Tuesday 16th February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Morning from Niseko and it's a much improved picture this morning.
There's 15cm of fresh snow to report this morning and with 20-30cm being reported in the Avalanche Report on mountain, I would expect a decent reset for this morning. I think I might just have to go and find out for myself. Looks like gates are going to be closed though.
The overnight snow brings my observed snowfall number here at base for the month of February up to 136cm. Remember, last February it was 196cm for the month. If the forecast is correct and we can expect steady (and sometimes heavy) snowfall on most if not all days over the coming week, we should be well placed to do better than last year. Not that it's a competition or anything of course, just a bit of fun. And of course the more snow the better, not just when you think about daily refreshes but also when you start thinking about the spring season.
So anyway it's snowing - and quite heavily just at this moment (though I see less so over at Hanazono from the webcam). But snow is forecast for the day and through the day tomorrow as well. We'll have to see how the winds shape up and if they are strong enough to affect lift operations again today - latest just before posting this report added below.
Have a fine morning.
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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 and King Number 4 lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds and poor visibility.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Hanazono appears to be opening as planned at the start of the day.
Niseko Village
The top Wonderland Chair lift is on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Annupuri
Niseko Annupuri appears to be opening as planned at the start of the day.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -10°C, 20cm new snow, light winds. Moiwa 800m: W12m/s, 25cm new snow, snowdrift development. Mikaeri 740m: -13.1°C, SSW2.4m/s, 30cm new snow, snowdrift development. Hirafu Peak Ridgeline: -16°C, Strong westerly wind. Annupuri 1150m: -16°C, WNW15m/s, poor visibility, snowdrift development. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW17m/s. Kamui Cape W11m/s, 1005hPa, wave 2.4m.
At elevations above 800m wind slab development continues and although the storm is weakening, the upper 30cm of newly formed slabs is easily fractured. Kozan no Sawa, Osawa, Mikaeri Bowl and Higashi One cornice face, if a fracture propagates down to the Feb14 layer low pressure snow layer there is possibility of large avalanche with very deep crown. Gates 1,2, 3,4 will be closed. 5 and 6 yet to be determined. Please respect the patrols decisions.
There are many people using the resort and it just takes one person to duck a rope and many others will follow, creating a serious safety issue for the patrol. This is how accidents happen. Don't make selfish decisions, don't duck ropes. The mountain is reset and snow in the trees is great. Today, at Mikaeri ridge road we will be conducting avalanche tests, the road will be closed during this time. Take care with frostbite, have a good day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Tuesday 16th February 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 310cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Village
Top - 320cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 330cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Tuesday 16th February 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 744cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 58 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 136cm 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.