Niseko Now: Tuesday 18th February 2020
- Feb 18, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 603cm
Posted on Tuesday 18th February 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
So it was rather windy yesterday and that means that there's going to be some wind blown conditions this morning, meaning there'll probably be some deeper fresh in places and hard and icy conditions in others. And difficult to know what's where. That along with the recent changes in temperatures mean we really need to be aware and take care out there.
Down here at base I can only report (slightly over) 1cm which is a bit disappointing.
It feels kind of milder again this morning, maybe it's just me; generally cloudy-overcast with some light snow falling in places. Those stronger winds have eased off and we are starting the day with all lifts scheduled to start up as planned.
We can still expecting some more fresh snow over the coming few days.
-----
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base: -2.0°, trace new snow, calm. Moiwa 800m: SSE 165deg 3.8m/s , -5.2°, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1100m: SSE 154deg 10.5m/s, no temp data. Yu no Sawa 1000m: SW 227deg 3.3m/s, -7.5. Niseko Village 900m: S 174 deg 5.2m/s, -6.7°. Hirafu 1000m : S 179deg 11.4m/s, -7.5°. Hanazono 720m: SSW 191deg 8.7m/s, -5.4°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:SSE 8m/s. Kamui Cape E 2m/s, 999hPa, wave 2.2m.
In places above 700m there is large amounts of snowdrift development on the Niseko Range due to an easterly wind yesterday from a slow moving low pressure system. Snowdrifts are weakly bonded due to hail mixed with the low pressure snowfall and snowdrift stability will be delayed. Although the wind is starting to weaken it is still strong at higher elevations. Avalanche risk is continues to be high above 900m on steep open slopes and knolls. Gate openings are expected to be delayed. Please follow the patrols advice.
Most accidents happen during or right after a storm. Be cautious today. The snow in the trees is a bit unusual, a bit heavy but not too bad. Watch out for hidden snow bridges collapsing. We never know where an avalanche will occur. Is your beacon on? You have your probe and shovel? Wear a helmet. Have a good day.
-----
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 265cm
- Base: 100cm
All lifts are normally operating EXCEPT:
- Ace Number 1 pair lift (normally rested)
- King Number 2 quad lift (normally rested)
All courses normally open
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Ace Family quad until 8:30pm
- Ace Number 2 Center Four quad until 8:20pm
- Hirafu Gondola until 8:10pm
- Holiday Number 1 pair until 8:30pm
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 185cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating
-----
Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts are normally operating
Lift scheduled for late operations:
- Jumbo Number 1 quad until 8:30pm
-----
Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 110cm
All lifts normally operating EXCEPT:
- Country Road Chair (normally rested)
Lifts scheduled for late operations:
- Annupuri Village Gondola until 8:00pm
- Village Express until 8:00pm
- Banzai Chair until 8:00pm
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Tuesday 18th February 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 603cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 224cm reported on 20 days February 2020 snowfall 87cm 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.