Niseko Now: Sunday 21st February 2016
- Feb 21, 2016
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 805cm
Posted on Sunday 21st February 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
This morning I have another 10cm of fresh snow to report to you. That's less than I think most of us were expecting given the forecasts yesterday, so we seem to have been missed out on that 'heavy snow' that we were being tempted with. Still, 10cm is certainly better than 0cm and there'll be more to play in up on the mountain.
That new 10cm of snowfall though takes the total amount of observed snowfall this month (by myself) to be more than the amount I observed for the whole of the month of February last year. It also takes the total observed snowfall since the beginning of this season to over the 8m mark. With over a full week of February 2016 left to go and encouraging forecasts showing regular daily snowfall over the coming week, we could be on for a very good number this month (and eat away nicely at that now-just-less-than-2-metres gap on the numbers from last season at the end of February).
Anyway back to today...
It has been fairly mild and cloudy/overcast here at base so far this morning, with the temperature just above zero outside my place. It looks like snow is falling higher up - and snow is on the forecast on and off for the day today.
Doesn't feel too windy down here early on but I see that Niseko Village are reporting northerly winds up to 16m/s and wind conditions are preventing some of the top lifts from opening this morning.
---
It is extremely sad of course to hear about the skier passing away after hitting a tree yesterday.
Do take care out there, and be sure to read the Avalanche Report below.
---
Resort specific lift opening news at time of writing (subject to change during the day):
Niseko Grand Hirafu
The top Ace Number 4 and King Number 4 lifts are on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Appears to be planning on being open as normal at the start of the day.
Niseko Village
The Niseko Gondola and Wonderland Chair lifts are on hold at the start of the day.
Niseko Annupuri
Appears to be planning on being open as normal at the start of the day.
---
Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -2℃, 10cm snowfall, 40cm snowdrift. Moiwa 848m: -4.8℃, WSW14.2m/s, 20cm snowfall with large development of snowdrift. Benkei cape: NW7m/s, Kamui cape: SE3m/s, 1006hPa, wave height unknown. Hirafu peak ridge: -8℃, strong easterly gusts and developing snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m: -7℃, NE15m/s, 50cm and larger snowdrifts in various areas.
A Low is rapidly passing along the pacific coast. Heavy stormy conditions in the mountains, generating drastic development of snowdrifts in leeward slopes above 800m elevation. The avalanche risk is very high. Prominent trigger layer is Feb 20th pre-low-pressure snowfall. Snowdrifts have reach 100+cm thickness in some areas, 50cm or thicker surface slide avalanches are to be highly considered in Annupuri O-sawa cornice area, Backbowl sidewalls 1000m area, west ridge area, Mikaeri bowl upper area. Peak gates will be closed, please do not cross boundary ropes. Many of the avalanche accidents occur when snowdrifts are developing exponentially. Better let the snow stabilize for a while after the wind calms down and lifts start running. Uneven snowdrifts are also present in the treeruns, trick conditions, be careful.
A skier passed away hitting a tree in Higashi-One yesterday. It is very unfortunate and we would like express our deepest sympathy to the family. This information is issued not only to prevent avalanche accidents, but all incidents in the out of bounds area.
Road conditions are also treacherous today, drive in controllable speed.
---
Official resort snow depths as of Sunday 21st February 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 350cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Village
Top - 340cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 350cm
Base - 170cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Sunday 21st February 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 805cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 63 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 197cm reported on 16 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.