Niseko Now: Tuesday 26th February 2013
- Feb 26, 2013
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 25cm
Snowfall at base this season 1288cm
Weather overview Cloud, light snow at times
Wind
Light
Temperature -7C base / -12C top
Visibility Generally OK
Posted at 8:15am on Tuesday 26th February 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
I have to file an early report this morning as Sapporo awaits. The city, not the beer!
It is a calm start to the day here. The snow continued falling yesterday, getting heavier later on and in the end of we have another 20-25cm this morning here in the Hirafu village area, most of that by the end of the day yesterday and a bit more overnight. (The Avalanche report this morning is reporting 40cm in the last 24 hours).
So a calm morning meaning we should all be open today. Mixed conditions with some light snow falling in areas, and a bit of sun to be seen in others. It could go either way.
More of the same over the next few days, followed by a return to snow just before the weekend.
Avalanche Information
Niseko base 6am: -9C, 5cm of snowfall in the past 12 hours, 40cm in 24H. Moiwa 800m: 40cm in 24H, development of snowdrifts, -13C. Annupuri peak: W10.2m/s, -15.4C. Coastal data: WNW11m/s, 0.9m waves, 1020hPa. Annupuri 1000m snowpack: 390cm.
A high-pressure band is covering southern Hokkaido area and the mountain is finally calm. Total 40cm of snow fell yesterday. New soft slabs (snowdrifts), up to 100cm thickness, have developed in leeward slopes above 800m. The stabilization of snowdrifts (snow slabs formed by wind-drifted snow) is delayed in areas above 1100m and the cornices are growing big.
Gate 2 & 3 are scheduled to open at 10:30am. Beware! Avalanche hazard remains high in open steep slopes with large vertical drop; namely the Backbowl sidewalls and other similar condition slopes. These slopes should remain untouched today. DO NOT traverse across or wait at the bottom of those slopes. Avalanche strikes you from behind.
The snow in the tree is stable and in very good condition. Better not overestimate your gears and skills. Think safety first. Rider/skier's wisdom is always being tested in the out of bounds area.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Tuesday 26th February 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1288cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 86 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (27th January) November 2012 snowfall 118cm reported on 11 days December 2012 snowfall 418cm reported on 27 days January 2013 snowfall 443cm reported on 26 days February 2013 snowfall 309cm reported on 22 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.