Niseko Now: Wednesday 17th January 2024
- Jan 17, 2024
- 2 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 4cm
Snowfall at base this season 601cm
Posted on Wednesday 17th January 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It has been an overcast kind of morning so far, with a few hints of sun at times, but light snow is falling in places too. It feels like we might get some more sun.
The wind is still being kind of pesky too and unfortunately enough for top lifts to once again not be operating. And, once again, the Annupuri gondola is also on hold.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 5am: -4C, 3cm snowfall in 12h, calm. Moiwa 800m: -12.87C, NW6.9m/s (max 25m/s at 6pm). Mikaeri 764m: -7C, moderate NW wind, 300cm snowpack depth. Annupuri 1100m: -13.9C, NW7.8m/s. Village Mizuno no sawa top: -6.5C, WNW8.9m/s with northerly gusts. Hirafu Hanazono 1000m: -8.0C, E3.7m/s with some northerly 20m/s gusts. Hanazono#3: -4.2C, NNE4.4m/s. Coastal data: NW15m/s, Kamui cape WSW9m/s, 1020hPa, 1.8m waves.
The isobars are now spread out and the weather has calmed down. Cold air remains above 800m elevation and intermittent northerly gusts keeps blowing. Evaluating from observations and weather data, the snowdrifts are stabilising and the avalanche risk is lowering, however risk will remain high all day in Kozan no Sawa (Backbowl) and O-sawa (Annupuri bowl). Most gates are scheduled to open. Annupuri gate 1 & 2 will stay shut. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. Avoid simultaneous riding, traversing knolls and under cornices. Stay away from the gully bottom. Should an avalanche occur today, it can potentially be a big one. If the Higashi-One cornice falls, it could also trigger a large slide. Do not stimulate. Winter mountain activities are inherently dangerous. Stay vigilant, today is a day to act wisely. Have you switched your beacon on? Have a nice day.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Wednesday 17th January 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 601cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 50 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 234cm reported on 15 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.