Niseko Now: Monday 17th March 2014
- Mar 17, 2014
- 2 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 1145cm
Posted on Monday 17th March 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Less than 1cm of snowfall to report this morning, just a thin dusting really with the temperature around 0 degrees at the moment.
There's still quite a bit of cloud around, but the sun is out as well and some blue sky.
Once again we might get a bit of snow overnight into tomorrow and then tomorrow in the daytime there's a chance of some rain. Strong winds forecast for tomorrow as well - enough to mess about with lift schedules if it happens.
For the moment though this morning good weather, the groomers should be good early on. Just hope it doesn't warm up too much...
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -2C, 0.5cm graupels in 12 hours. Moiwa 800m: -5C, W5m/s and development of snowdrifts in Mikaeri area. Annupuri 1150m: snowpack 360cm. Hirafu 1000m: -5C, slight snowfall. Peak 1308m: NW13m/s, -8.3C. Coastal data: cape Benkei NNW10m/s, cape Kamui NNW6m/s, 0.7m, 1020hPa.
Although the isobars are spaced out as a high-pressure system is traveling east, an intermittent NW wind is blowing, making snowdrifts develop in some areas. Newly formed snowdrifts in 1000m area are unstable and easily collapse. Temperature is relatively high and the snow in the trees will get better in the afternoon. Many dangers, other than avalanches, exist in the backcountry. Beware of loosing control, hitting trees, falling into cracks. Peak gates will open from the morning. Do not enter south facing strictly off-limits areas. Have a nice day.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 395cm
Base - 195cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 390cm
Base - 200cm
Annupuri:
Top - 395cm
Base - 200cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Monday 17th March 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 1145cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 93 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 178cm reported on 20 days March 2014 snowfall 108cm 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.