Niseko Now: Tuesday 19th January 2016
- Jan 19, 2016
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 535cm
Posted on Tuesday 19th January 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
The day started off seemingly fairly calm yesterday morning, but unfortunately by mid morning there were some lift disruptions due to windy conditions. First to be stopped was the top King Number 3 at Niseko Grand Hirafu as early as 9am, and then by 10:30am all of the top lifts at each of the four resort areas were not moving, with the Annupuri Gondola and Jumbo Number 3 lifts also finishing their day by early afternoon.
I have just 3cm of new snowfall to report to you this morning since yesterday. It is not as cold as it has been this morning but there are windy conditions on mountain from the start of the day. Niseko Annupuri are reporting northerly winds of up to 19m/s on their upper slopes.
From the start of the day the top lifts at all areas but Hanazono are waiting on conditions and the peak gates will be closed.
As mentioned in the Avalanche Report this morning we should expect conditions to be somewhat different from the last few days with the wind blowing the snow around and snowdrifts. Extra care is needed.
We can probably expect a similar picture tomorrow morning as well by the way.
This storm is so far bringing us here in Niseko less snow and just strong wind - where's the fun in that? - but it is great to see that lots of other ski resort areas of Japan have been getting some decent snow. Those scenes looked more like the usual scenes we see each winter, rather than all this talk of lack of snow. Let's hope that it continues.
Oh yes, and more snow up here too please. I know, I'm greedy.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -5℃, light snowfall. Moiwa 800m: -6℃, E10m/s, snowdrifts development. Mikaeri 740m: -5.5℃, NW12.1m/s, large snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: E23m/s. Hirafu 1000m: -6℃, NE10m/s, snowdrifts development. Benkei cape: ESE7m/s, Kamui cape ESE4m/s, 998hPa, 1.9m waves.
The mountain base is relatively calm. Snowfall is scarce but a strong easterly wind is blowing above 800m, drifting snow and growing packed snowdrifts. Cornices and snowdrifts in knolls will drastically develop as the day goes by and the avalanche risk will rise accordingly. Be careful as heavy snowdrifts are also present inbounds.
Snowdrifts growth depends on the windspeed; the stronger the wind, the faster they grow, and fast growing snowdrifts are the most unstable, easily collapsing with the slightest stimulations, triggering larger avalanches as they slide. Today’s snow is totally different from yesterday’s. Be prudent and plan according to the conditions. Peak gates will be closed today. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions and do not duck ropes to step out of bounds. The snow will be better soon.
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Official resort snow depths as of Tuesday 19th January 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 340cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Village
Top - 260cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 230cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Tuesday 19th January 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 535cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 38 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 31cm (17th January) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 230cm reported on 17 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.