Niseko Now: Thursday 28th February 2013
- Feb 28, 2013
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 5cm
Snowfall at base this season 1295cm
Weather overview Cloud
Wind
Light
Temperature -1C base / -6C top
Visibility Generally fine
Posted at 8:53am on Thursday 28th February 2013 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A 5cm or so layer of new snowfall this morning to report from Hirafu on this last day of February. And it's a mild start to the day as well with the thermometer pushing up towards positive numbers.
Earlier on when I got up it was cloudier but there are some patches of clearer sky here and there now and the sun shining down on us at times. A moderate wind at the moment and that is forecast to get stronger later on in the day as well as more snow falling.
Actually the wind today is prevening some lifts from operating early on. Currently the top lifts at Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri are affected as well as the Annupuri Gondola and the Niseko Gondola. Hirafu Gondola is operating as normal for the moment.
Snow likely through the weekend, along with potentially windy conditions and colder temperatures.
Avalanche Information
Niseko base 6am: -2C, 5cm of humid low-pressure snowfall. Moiwa 800m: westerly wind is picking up and making new snowdrifts start to develop. Annupuri peak: WSW6.1m/s, -7.5C. Coastal data: WNW15m/s, 0.9m waves and 1010hPa.
The wind is complex in high altitude as a small low-pressure is passing. According to observations and snowfall transition until this morning, the general avalanche risk is low, however future snowdrifts above 800m will be unstable and easily collapsible. Gate 2 & 3 will be closed for the sake of all resort users. Other gates still to be determined. Please respect the ski patrol's decisions.
The snow in the trees is not bad, but a bit heavy. The visibility is poor and light is flat, beware of hitting trees and falling into cracks. A westerly storm is forecasted to pick up from noon. Better stay close to the resort today. Do not duck ropes. Be safe, enjoy and have a nice day.
Niseko Now 2012-2013 season |
Data as of Thursday 28th February 2013 Total snowfall at base so far 1295cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 88 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 316cm reported on 24 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.