Niseko Now: Wednesday 17th February 2016
- Feb 17, 2016
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 38cm
Snowfall at base this season 782cm
Posted on Wednesday 17th February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A very good morning to you from Niseko.
And how about this... the most snow in one day so far this season!
I can't say that I was expecting quite this much, but more than happy to see it out there on the ground - all 38cm of it! We enjoyed lots of heavy snowfall yesterday and through the night so that we are able to wake up to all this lovely fluffy snow outside this morning.
Check out this bit of the Avalanche Report: "Hirafu Peak Ridgeline: couldn't access by grooming machine, -10°C, over 60cm new snow"!
I think this is probably enough for more than a complete refresh (you reckon?) and we should be set for some very exciting fun this morning... if the winds don't cramp our style of course. And it looks like we might be ok on that front this morning. Rather than wind, it's probably 'moving snow' that might delay some lifts for a short time.
There's more regular snowfall due through until Friday, maybe a short break for a bit as we enter the weekend but back to snow from Sunday.
Things are looking very good and re-assuring to see that the weekend was just a short blip on the big picture.
Lots of snow is a whole lot of fun, but there's inherent dangers of course - keep calm and take care.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -6°C, 30cm new crystal snow, no snowdrift development. Moiwa 800m: -10°C, NW10m/s, 40cm new snow, snowdrift development. Mikaeri 740m: -9.5°C, WNW1.4m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NW14m/s. Kamui Cape W10m/s, 1005hPa, wave 1.4m. Hirafu Peak Ridgeline: couldn't access by grooming machine, -10°C, over 60cm new snow. Annupuri 1000m: -10°C, WNW15m/s, too much snow to run grooming machines on.
Biggest snow event this winter and the grooming machines are having difficulty getting up and down the slopes. Atmospheric pressure gradient is a little steep and snow drifts are growing moderately above 800m. From observation and data, above 900m SE through SW cornice, knoll and other steep slopes, the avalanche risk is high. Upper Haru no Taki, Yu no Sawa Annupuri side there is possibility of huge avalanche, fracturing deep on Feb 14 layer.
This avalanche report is produced using both historical and current observations and data, and past accident history. It has proved to be reasonably accurate since started and we ask that you don't disregard the information.
Gates 1, 2, 3, 4 will be closed. Other gates yet to be determined. Please respect the patrols decisions. Don't venture out of bounds late in the afternoon. If you get lost you will be in big trouble. Snow is good but deep. Be prepared with snowshoes and skins. Don't go on any long expeditions today. Don't duck ropes and try to enter closed gate areas. Have a good day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Wednesday 17th February 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 370cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Village
Top - 330cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 350cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Wednesday 17th February 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 782cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (17th February) 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 174cm 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.