Niseko Now: Monday 2nd March 2015
- Mar 2, 2015
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 1005cm
Posted on Monday 2nd March 2015 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just a thin new covering of snow this morning to report with 5cm being reported higher up the mountain.
It's one of those days when wind becomes an issue unfortunately with some lifts at each of the four main resort areas affected. Below I have added the information as it is at 8:30am.... it may well change of course during the day, best to check with the resorts for the latest if you are going to be out there. The forecasts are telling us to expect quite strong winds during the day though, so if anything the situation may get worse rather than improving. Sorry! I sure don't enjoy writing that kind of stuff! But it is what it is...
Light snow is falling at the moment and the temperature is nudging up to +1C now, so it could be colder. Visibility is going to be limited up there this morning, so know where you're going and take care.
Sunny skies are expected tomorrow with hopefully calmer winds, and we should be back to snow - hopefully decent snowfall - by Wednesday morning.
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Floodlit night skiing operations are due to continue daily until Sunday 22nd March.
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Resort specific news as of 8:30am - subject to change during the day
Niseko Grand Hirafu:
Top Ace Number 4, King Number 4 and King Number 3 lifts on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
Niseko Hanazono:
Top Hanazono Number 3 lift on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds. Number 1 lift running at reduced speed.
Niseko Village:
Top Wonderland lift on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds. Gondola running at reduced speed.
Niseko Annupuri:
Annupuri Gondola, Jumbo 3 and Jumbo 4 lifts on hold at the start of the day due to strong winds.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: 0C, 5cm low pressure snowfall in last 12 hrs. Moiwa 800m: N10m/s, 5cm new snow, -3C, snow drift development. Annupuri 1000m: snowpack 315cm, N15m/s, -3C. Hirafu 1000m: N12m/s, -4C. Annupuri peak 1308m: wind N16.4m/s, -6.1C. Cape Benkei: NE14m/s, Cape Kamui: S2m/s, pressure 1002hPa, wave calm.
Low pressure system over eastern Japan is bringing warm air into the region. As the low intensifies the northerly wind will increase. From 5am observation the snow is stable, however as the wind increases through the day snowdrifts will fracture more easily and the avalanche risk will increase. Most accidents happen during stormy conditions. Peak gates 2 and 3 will be closed, others yet to be decided. Please respect and follow the patrols decisions.
Niseko Rules are not a suggestion, do not ignore them and duck ropes to go out of bounds. Your safety in Niseko is protected by the Rules, disregarding them threatens the safety of everyone on the mountain. Danger riding or stopping in the valley bottoms, this is where the avalanche will go. Take care, today visibility is bad, beware falling into cracks, hitting trees.
Niseko Now 2014-2015 season |
Data as of Monday 2nd March 2015 Total snowfall at base so far 1005cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 72 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 March 2015 snowfall 3cm reported on 1 day |
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.