Niseko Now: Saturday 28th February 2015
- Feb 28, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 1002cm
Posted on Saturday 28th February 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning from Hirafu and some more snow to report on this last morning of February.
Another 10cm here in the base area once again, and hearing 20cm or so higher up from the resort. It's kind of similar amounts as we have seen over the last 4 or 5 days in fact, so a steady refresh each day and bringing us up to 196cm observed at base for February. It also means that we break through the 10m mark for the season as a whole. I'll take a look at more statistics sometime in the next few days.
This morning the sun is out. Lots of blue sky, a few clouds and some bright sunshine. A moderate wind but it doesn't seem to be affecting lift operations this morning, at the time of writing and checking information anyway. (Phew!)
A generally fine day expected today with a return of snowfall sometime late on tomorrow.
I've got a few people to meet out on the mountain so I'm off to put the boots on. Have a very fine, safe and fun day wherever you are.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -3C, 20cm of new snow. Moiwa 800m: NE10m/s, 20cm of new snow, major snowdrift development. Annupuri 1000m: snowpack 315cm, NNW15m/s, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m: Strong winds, -7C, snowdrift development on leeward slopes. Annupuri peak 1308m: wind NNW18.1m/s, -9.1C. Cape Benkei: NNE16m/s, Cape Kamui: ENE6m/s, pressure 1018hPa, wave 2.7m.
Blizzard conditions late last night to dawn caused rapid snowdrift development on steep south facing slopes (under knolls). From 5am observation, expect slabs to fracture at 50-60cm, avalanche risk is High. Slabs are fracturing at Feb27th low pressure layer. Peak gate openings are yet to be decided. Please respect patrol's decisions. Annupuri Osawa, Kozan no sawa should not be ridden today. Do not traverse from gates 1 and 8 to Osawa cornice slope. Do not duck ropes. Also be aware there is avalanche risk low on the mountain at Annupuri Ski area in the gully under gondola. Most avalanche accidents happen right after a storm. A simple pit check alone is an unreliable way to assess risk. The wind blown snow propagates impact regardless of a weak layer. Avoid riding in valley bottoms- where the avalanche will run. The snow is good and deep in the forest. Be aware of hidden cracks. Is your beacon on? Have a good day.
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Official resort snow depths:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 400cm
Base - 140cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 300cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Annupuri:
Top - 370cm
Base - 180cm
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Saturday 28th February 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 1002cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 71 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (15th & 26th December and 11th February) November 2014 snowfall 30cm reported on 5 days December 2014 snowfall 519cm reported on 25 days January 2015 snowfall 257cm reported on 23 days February 2015 snowfall 196cm reported on 18 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.