Niseko Now: Thursday 24th March 2016
- Mar 24, 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 978cm
Posted on Thursday 24th March 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Niseko and it's an early report from me today as I need to get myself to Sapporo this morning.
This morning there is a lot of blue sky around and some white clouds hanging around too, and as I write the sun is out... it's a fine morning. The forecasts do still insist that there's some chance of a bit of snow though so things may well change. Similar conditions are forecast for tomorrow as well.
Oh yes, there's 1cm of snow on the ground too.
Things look like they'll probably be pretty dry from the weekend onwards and maybe quite a lot of sunshine and things starting to warm up around Tuesday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -1℃, 2cm snowfall, clear sky. Moiwa 838m: -6.1℃, E10m/s. Annupuri 1000m snowpack 310cm. Hirafu peak ridge: -11℃, mild wind and sprinkles of snow. Benkei cape: NE7m/s. Kamui cape: NNE6m/s, 1015hPa, 2.3m waves.
A moderate easterly wind persisted until early morning and made some snowdrifts develop in areas above treeline. The temperature in higher elevation is also much lower than the base.
Surface slab avalanches of up to 10cm thickness are to be expected in open steep faces and knolls above 800m elevation. A wide area can start sliding simultaneously. Habits of riding the valley bottoms should be changed. Better not underestimate the giant Spring slides. IF you’re caught in one, chances to survive is close to none.
Carrying a short rope as a measure of safety for coming out of cracks or creeks is highly recommended. Harnesses may not be necessary, but one rope can change the whole game. The mountain condition is not bad at all. Beware of sudden weather changes and have a nice day.
Spring is here, have a great day.
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Official resort snow depths as of Thursday 24th March 2016:
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Hanazono
Top - 355cm
Base - 125cm
Niseko Village
Top - 340cm
Base - 130cm
Niseko Annupuri
Top - 360cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Now 2015-2016 season |
Data as of Thursday 24th March 2016 Total snowfall at base so far 978cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 81 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 104cm reported on 12 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.