Niseko Now: Monday 17th February 2014
- Feb 17, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 976cm
Posted on Monday 17th February 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Lots of wind about at the moment - following on from yesterday, it's going to be another windy day here today.
Early on before the lifts get moving here's the lifts that we are hearing will not be operating - as always subject to change with conditions of course:
Hirafu: Ace 3 and 4, King 3 and 4; Hanazono 2 and 3
Annupuri: Gondola, Jumbo 3 and 4
Niseko Village: Gondola and Wonderland
About 5cm of fresh snowfall to report this morning. The wind means that it's more and less in places, lots of windblown snow around this morning. The Avalanche Report says up to 20cm. The snow clouds are going to be staying over the region for the next few days, so fingers crossed we should be getting good topups.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -5C, 20cm crushed snow crystals in the last 12hrs, snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: -8C, wind N15m/s, major development of hard snowdrift, easily fractured. Annupuri 1150m: wind N20m/s, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m: -8C, blizzard conditions, snowdrift development. Annupuri peak 1308m: -11.6C, wind N17.4m/s. Cape Benkei: N14m/s, Cape Kamui: NNE13m/s, wave 3.6m, pressure 1015hPa.
Currently we are experiencing winter weather pattern bringing intermittent wind and snow from the north. There has been major snowdrift development above 800m. From observation and data the avalanche risk is HIGH. The wind has formed hard slabs that are not bonded well to the Feb 13-15th layer. Expect these to easily fracture to a depth up to 120cm. Slab growth between 3am and morning was 25cm, a small scale surface avalanche will easily occur. Take note, at around 1000m leeward slopes, a small avalanche is likely to trigger a large scale avalanche. The storm has hidden cracks and because of that they are even more dangerous today.
Peak gates will be closed today, please follow the patrols directions. Do not duck ropes to get fresh snow. Do not enter restricted areas. The snow in the trees is good . Take care falling into cracks, hitting trees. The snow changes everyday. Be safe.
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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 Monday 17th February 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 976cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 73 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 117cm reported on 13 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.