Niseko Now: Monday 18th March 2013
- Mar 18, 2013
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 1403cm
Weather overview Cloud
Wind
Varied
Temperature 5C base / -2C top
Visibility Good
Posted at 8:57am on Monday 18th March 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Yesterday I said how today is expected to be warmer still. And it definitely is. 5C on the thermometer outside right now and for the moment it's just cloudy. Rain is definitely on the cards though in lower areas at least.
Wind this morning affecting the top Wonderland lift at Niseko Village with the Niseko Gondola also running at reduced speed. The top Hanazono lift is also running at a reduced speed but other than that we seem to be mostly open as planned this morning. If stronger winds whip up this afternoon though we can perhaps expect that situation to change.
Hopefully we might get to see more snow falling on Wednesday.
Avalanche Information
Niseko base 6am: 0C, no new snow, cloudy. Moiwa 800m: not available. Annupuri peak: -4.1C, expected wind speed at noon: SW10m/s. Coastal data: wind SSE6m/s, 1.5m waves, pressure 1004hPa.
Low pressure over Japan Sea, under 1000m wind is weak, no snow drift development. Temperatures will increase as the low pressure approaches, wet snow and wind are expected above 800m this afternoon. General avalanche risk is low.
All peak gates are expected to open at 9.30am. Listen to the ski patrols warnings before going through the gates.
From analysis of the snowfall, the danger of full depth avalanches on steep slopes and under cornices is rising and expected to start earlier than usual this year. Riding cornice slopes and valley bottoms is extremely dangerous. Everyone needs to use sound judgement and make careful route selection to avoid these danger zones.
Gate 9 will be closed from today due to danger of flooding. Don't duck ropes. Be careful of a sudden change in weather.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Monday 18th 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.