Niseko Now: Tuesday 24th March 2020
- Mar 24, 2020
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 718cm
Posted on Tuesday 24th March 2020 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A few cm of snow on the ground this morning and it feels colder.
The sun is out now and we are expecting warmer conditions over the next few days.
-----
I would like to apologise in advance for perhaps being less wordy and chatty than normal at the moment.
As much as some things don't feel too far from 'normal' here, it currently does seem like Japan is in a different place than lots of other countries at the moment. But, of course, a lot of people are going through some really extraordinary situations right now.
I just want to say that my thoughts are with everyone. Please take care and stay strong.
-----
Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain Base 6am: -3°, 3cm new snow. Moiwa 800m:NNE 36deg 4.4m/s, -5.1°. Annupuri 1100m: NNW 340deg 4.8m/s, -8.3°. Yu no Sawa 1000m: NNE 40deg, 4.4m/s, -7.9°. Niseko Village 900m: N 1deg 3.9m/s, -6.9°. Hirafu 1000m : -7.8°. Hanazono 720m:NNW 347deg 3.3m/s, -5.1°. Coastal data: Benkei Cape: NE 4m/s. Kamui Cape: calm, 1014hPa, wave 0.8m.
From the last 24hr snowfall, there has been 15cm to 30cm of snowdrift development on steep leeward slopes above 800m, above 1200m the development has been rapid, snowdrifts on open steep slopes may fracture from rider stimulation on March 22-23 layer causing a surface avalanche up to 40cm in depth. The low temperature is making the snow good but will take a will to stabilize above 1200m. Do not accidentally stimulate knolls, cornice slopes or other steep slopes. Watch out for cracks.
Gates 2 and 3 are expected to be open. Please listen to the patrols advice and prepare before leaving the ski resort. It is strongly recommended that you wear a helmet and carry a beacon. Always avoid going into the bottoms of the valleys, this is large scale avalanches will run. Beware of sudden weather changes. The wind increases as the isobar move closer together. The mountain base is in spring but the upper mountain is still winter. Have a good day.
-----
Niseko Grand Hirafu
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 320cm
- Base: 85cm
The following lifts are closed:
- Ace Number 1 pair
- Ace Number 3 pair
- Ace Number 4 pair
- King Number 2 quad
-----
Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 210cm
- Base: 105cm
All lifts are normally operating
-----
Niseko Annupuri
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 180cm
- Base: 90cm
The following lifts are closed:
- Jumbo Number 2 pair
- Jumbo Number 3 pair
-----
Niseko Village
Official snow depth (reported by resort):
- Peak: 190cm
- Base: 100cm
The following lifts are closed:
- Upper Village Gondola
- Village Express
- Morino Chair
- Country Road Chair
Niseko Now 2019-2020 season |
Data as of Tuesday 24th March 2020 Total snowfall at base so far 718cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 82 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 33cm (21st January) November 2019 snowfall 85cm reported on 10 days December 2019 snowfall 207cm reported on 21 days January 2020 snowfall 224cm reported on 20 days February 2020 snowfall 143cm reported on 19 days March 2020 snowfall 59cm 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.