Niseko Now: Saturday 23rd January 2016
- Jan 23, 2016
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 562cm
Posted on Saturday 23rd January 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko where the headline for the day is 12cm of fresh light snowfall round my place here near Hirafu base.
Interestingly the Avalanche report (below) is reporting 20-40cm of snow on the mountain which I think definitely needs to be investigated first hand this morning. I will selflessly volunteer for such a job!
It was a lovely day yesterday and there's lots of blue sky around this morning as well. There is more cloud around than yesterday and shadows being cast, but still the blue skies are generally winning out just at the moment. It is pretty calm here at base though I hear there's a moderate westerly wind as you get higher up the mountain. As of 8:30am though all of the resorts appear to be opening up as normal.
We are told to expect the chance of some snow later on today - and regular top-ups through the coming week as well.
What we can expect over the coming days still seems to be more a case of 'steady regular' than 'huge dumpage'.
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Niseko Grand Hirafu today have upped their snow depth for upper slopes to 315cm. Of more interest, as of yesterday I had recorded/observed more snowfall for the month of January 2016 than I did for the whole of December 2015.
Today that January 2016 observed snowfall number for here at base rises to 257cm... which just so happens to be exactly the number that I recorded for the whole of January 2015 (last season). That means that any further snowfall we get this month will be more than January last season.
We're still quite a ways behind the ongoing total for the season though.
You can find these numbers lower down on this page. (If you are viewing this on the mobile site, please go to the PC version to see it all).
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: -7°C, 20cm new snowfall, calm. Moiwa 800m: -10°C, NW8m/s, 30cm new snowfall. Mikaeri 740m: -9.7°C, light winds, 40cm new snow, no snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -13°C, NW13m/s, 40cm new snowfall. Hirafu 1000m: -10°C, NW10m/s, 30cm new snow, snowdrift development on eastern aspect.. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:NW10m/s. Kamui Cape SW8m/s, 1017hPa, wave 2.3m.
A passing small low pressure system has dropped 30cm of crystal snow overnight. Above 1000m there is moderately strong NW wind and on leeward slopes snowdrifts are growing gradually. From data and observation general avalanche risk is low. All peak gates are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice before passing through gates. Take care in Higashi one(east ridge) area, the surface has been scoured by past wind and now covered by snowdrifts. The newly developed cornice will easily fracture which can trigger an avalanche below. Dont wait on steep leeward slopes or at the valley bottoms. Always be aware of avalanches from above. Snow around 800m is reset and the snow in the trees is very good. Do not overestimate your skills or equipment. Through caution and care avoid having an accident.
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Official resort snow depths as of Saturday 23rd January 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 315cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Village
Top - 270cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 250cm
Base - 160cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Saturday 23rd January 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 562cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 41 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 257cm reported on 20 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.