Niseko Now: Sunday 2nd February 2014
- Feb 2, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 881cm
Posted on Sunday 2nd February 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There's just a thin layer of new snowfall to report this morning.
After the windy conditions of yesterday - it's somewhat calmer this morning, though still a moderate wind is affecting the top lifts at Niseko Grand Hirafu and Niseko Village as of mid morning. Earlier on this morning the sun was making an appearance and there was only a light wind, but it has clouded over and snow and windy conditions are forecast for the rest of the day.
Having said that, it's a relatively mild day after it being really cold overnight. Should get colder again from tomorrow though and snow is lined up on the forecast for at least the first half of the week.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -11, no new snow in last 12 hrs. Moiwa 800m: -12C, trace new snow, snow drift development eased. Annupuri 1150m: -11C, trace new snow. Hirafu 1000m: -11, 10cm new snow. Annupuri peak 1308m: -12.6C, wind WSW7.6m/s. Cape Benkei: SSE10m/s, Cape Kamui: wind calm, wave 1.1m, pressure 1013hPa.
The strong winds for the last 2 days have dropped in the last 10 hrs and new snowdrifts are starting to stabilise. The overall avalanche risk is beginning to fall however around 1000m Kozen no sawa, Osawa, Higashione (east ridge) cornice slope, the risk of slabs fracturing continues. Also on south facing slopes below 850m the risk continues from Jan 28-29 layer. Peak gates are expected to open today. Please listen to the patrols advice before exiting the gates. The snow is good. The 2nd Feb layer is expected to become a notable layer in future snow pack due to surface frost. Pay attention to the snow conditions, heavily wind effected slopes are not good riding, take care falling. Dont traverse under cornices. Dont set off any avalanches. Switch on your beacon. Have a nice day.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 400cm
Base - 190cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 345cm
Base - 230cm
Annupuri:
Top - 280cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Sunday 2nd February 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 881cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 62 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 40cm (14th January) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 461cm reported on 29 days February 2014 snowfall 22cm reported on 2 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.