Niseko Now: Sunday 20th March 2016
- Mar 20, 2016
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 970cm
Posted on Sunday 20th March 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from here in Niseko.
And after the rain, there's a little bit of snow to report... there's just about enough for me to record 1cm of fresh to the report. I think 9mm deserves a 1cm, ne?
That's nowhere near enough of course to cover up the frozen and 'hard and lumpy' (as the Avalanche report puts it) conditions out there this morning. So take care, it's not soft and fluffy.
As I write this report it's snowing a bit but the sun is actually shining through my window as well and I can see some patches of blue sky. Might it actually clear up? Currently the temperature is hovering just above zero here at base.
The forecast is looking quite interesting though with what looks like the chance of regular light snow over the coming week and temperatures should keep fairly low, if not mid-winter low (but we can't really expect that in the second half of March).
So there is a chance that I will be bringing you some fresh snowfall numbers in the coming days.
Night operations plan to finish tomorrow night so just two more changes.
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Resort specific lift opening news at time of posting (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 4, King Number 4, Ace Number 3 and King Number 3 lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds and poor visibility.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
The top Hanazono Number 3 lift is on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Village
The Niseko Gondola and top Wonderland Chair lifts are on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Annupuri
The Annupuri Gondola and top Jumbo Number 4 lift are on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -3°C, trace new snow. Moiwa 838m: -5°C, E6.6m/s, trace new snow. Annupuri 1150m: -6°C, N15m/s, trace new snow, hard icy snow surface below new snow. Hirafu Ridgeline: -6°C, moderate NE winds, trace new snow. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NE13m/s. Kamui Cape ESE3m/s, 1013hPa, wave 2.0m.
The rain has stopped and a moderate atmospheric pressure gradient is causing strong northerly winds at higher elevations. Weather has improved however expect intermittent flurries and cooler temperatures today. Be careful riding this morning, yesterdays warm wet snow has frozen and is hard and lumpy. There are some snow drifts formed though.
From observation, except for small scale slabs, the risk of surface avalanches is low. However the risk of large scale full depth avalanches is increasing. Avoid riding in the valley bottoms.
Peak gate openings are yet to be decided and are subject to lift operations. Today's snow conditions are difficult judge while riding, so take extra care. The surface is very hard and could hurt if you take a fall. If you can't walk to the gates by yourself, we recommend you stay inbounds. Have a good day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Sunday 20th March 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 345cm
Base - 125cm
Niseko Village
Top - 340cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 360cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Sunday 20th March 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 970cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 78 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (17th February) November 2015 snowfall 61cm reported on 4 days December 2015 snowfall 244cm reported on 17 days January 2016 snowfall 303cm reported on 26 days February 2016 snowfall 266cm reported on 22 days March 2016 snowfall 96cm reported on 9 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.