Niseko Now: Saturday 17th January 2015
- Jan 17, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 716cm
Posted on Saturday 17th January 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Ah yes, back to snow.
Certainly not a whole lot just yet - less than 5cm outside my place and 5-10cm being reported on mountain by the resorts - but definitely good to see snow falling once again after a break of a few days.
For the report icons I need to choose light, moderate or heavy for the snowfall.... going to go with 'light', but very much hoping that it will be falling at more of a pace soon. The forecast is looking promising and the snow clouds should be over the region beyond Monday.
So I'm hoping for a good number to put in my report tomorrow morning.
A light wind right now but along with the heavier snow we're also expecting stronger winds later on; it's going to be and feel cold out there today.
Hope you have a fun weekend.
---
Resort specific news at time of writing - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning' lift available daily until 1st February (for 500 yen, Ace Quad Number 2 lift from 8am until 8:20am).
Niseko Hanazono:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
Niseko Village:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
'Early Morning Gondola' available Saturdays and Sundays until February 8th (for 1300 yen, Gondola open from 7:30am until 8:30am).
Niseko Annupuri:
Looks set to be open as planned this morning.
---
Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -6C, 5cm snowfall in 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: N5m/s, -7C, 10cm snowfall. Annupuri 1150m: N10m/s, -8C, 10cm snowfall. 230cm snowpack at 1000m. Hirafu ridge: NE10m/s, -10C, 5cm snowfall. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNE9m/s, Kamui cape ENE2m/s, 1001hPa, 0.9m waves.
A low-pressure system is moving across the Sea of Japan. Pre-low pressure snowfall started from 2am and dropped 10cm of snow until the morning. A northerly wind is forecasted to pick up, bringing snow and gusts. The avalanche risk will stay low during the morning, but will rise in the afternoon, especially in higher areas such as the Backbowl sidewalls around 1000m. Many of the avalanche accidents occur in leeward snowdrift slopes during a storm. Today’s snow is different from yesterdays. Always be prudent. The old tracks remains and the slopes aren’t reset; ride carefully. Keep your touring plans flexible and adjust them according to the weather. All gates are scheduled to open. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. Don’t duck ropes! Good to see some new snow coming. Have a nice day.
---
Official snow depth numbers and any notes at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 330cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 250cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 230cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Saturday 17th January 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 716cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 43 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th and 26th December) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 167cm 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.