Niseko Now: Sunday 17th March 2013
- Mar 17, 2013
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 1403cm
Weather overview Fine some cloud
Wind
Varied
Temperature -2C base / -6C top
Visibility Good
Posted at 8:52am on Sunday 17th March 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Ah a clear Sunday morning. As good as it is to have snow falling most days, it's really nice to have clearer days every now and again. And it's a lovely morning here in the Niseko area and we can actually see the mountains. Cloud still around but they are just looking good rather than threatening snow or even worse rain.
Yotei is looking good at the moment with a plume of cloud coming up off the top - it almost looks like it's doing it's 'volcano thing'! Luckily it isn't, it's just a cloud. Don't worry. :)
It has quickly warmed up from the -4C I saw on the thermometer earlier on when I got up to hovering around 0 degrees as I write this report and I would expect it to continue to rise.
A few cm of fresh snow on the ground to report earlier on.
For now not much of a wind here in the Hanazono area (where I'm reporting from this morning), but I see that Annupuri in particular is reporting stronger winds this morning and winds are indeed expected to get stronger as we approach the middle of the day.
At the moment just the top lift at Annupuri (Jumbo 4) seems to be affected, but we might expect more to be later on. Time to get an early start to the day I think!
Tomorrow is set to get a bit warmer still and it's looking like rain is expected. A return to colder conditions and snowfall around mid-week though...
Avalanche Information
Niseko base 6am: -5C, 2cm new snow, sunny. Moiwa 800m: -8C, wind NW 10m/s, 3cm new snow, snow drift development. Annupuri peak: -12.8C, expected wind speed at noon: SW20m/s. Coastal data: wind WNW20m/s, 2.3m waves, pressure 1016hPa.
Westerly wind of 14m/s has caused significant snow drift growth. Above 800m, leeward slopes, knolls and cornice slopes, avalanche risk is HIGH this morning. Although there has not been much new snow an avalanche can happen anytime if conditions are right.
Peak gates are expected to open at 9.30am. Please listen to the ski patrols advice before passing through the gates. As the day progresses the wind is expected to increase as warm air flows in. Take note of slab development on leeward and steep slopes.
Avoid riding alone, rescue may not arrive if no one knows what happened to you. Please carry beacon, probe, shovel. However don't overestimate your equipment, careful route planning, knowledge and experience are your best assets to avoid accidents in the first place.
Never enter strictly off limits areas, Haru No Taki or Yu no Sawa. With spring comes the increased risk of large avalanches. Don't ride in the valley bottoms of Back Bowl or Osawa. Take care.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Sunday 17th March 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1403cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 100 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (27th January) November 2012 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 days December 2012 snowfall 418cm reported on 27 days January 2013 snowfall 443cm reported on 26 days February 2013 snowfall 316cm reported on 24 days March 2013 snowfall 108cm 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.