Niseko Now: Saturday 22nd March 2014
- Mar 22, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 1cm
Snowfall at base this season 1149cm
Posted on Saturday 22nd March 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Some real blustery conditions yesterday with snow falling as well but curiously we haven't ended up with more than a thin layer down here in Hirafu. I expect there to be more to be found up on the mountain - see updated Avalanche Report below!
I was hoping we might get some big numbers today looking at the news and indeed some of the Now reports on SnowJapan this morning, but it wasn't to be. After seeing the report below, will be interesting to see how conditions are up on the mountain today...
Cloudy and light snow as I write this and the temperature just under 0C. Happily, less wind and all of the top lifts appear to be opening as planned this morning.
Not much sign of any snow on the forecast after today - rather more sunny conditions are expected and warmer conditions. Hopefully it won't warm up too much.
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Niseko base 6am: -2C, 40cm of snowdrifts in 12 hours. Moiwa peak: no data. Annupuri 1000m: NW5m/s, -7C, many snowdrift development. Snowpack 370cm. Hirafu 1000m: -7C, light snowfall on the courses and development of snowdrifts. Peak 1308m: NW10.3m/s, -9.1℃. Coastal data: cape Benkei N4m/s, cape Kamui NNW4m/s, 1.2m waves, 1009hPa.
Isobars are spacing out and weather improving. The heavy wind generated big snowdrifts. 40cm or thicker avalanches should be expected in cornice slopes, upper open steep slopes and knolls above 800m during the morning. Peak gates will be closed. Listen to the ski patrol’s instructions before stepping out of the gates. Spring slides from the ground level are to be expected in strictly off-limits Haru no Taki, Mizuno no sawa, Yu no sawa. Never enter those areas. The snow in the tree is fairly reset, but will also be baked by noon. Beware of cracks, trees and cornice falls. Have a nice day.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 385cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 385cm
Base - 185cm
Annupuri:
Top - 370cm
Base - 190cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Saturday 22nd March 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 1149cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 96 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th January) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 461cm reported on 29 days February 2014 snowfall 178cm reported on 20 days March 2014 snowfall 112cm 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.