Niseko Now: Thursday 30th January 2014
- Jan 30, 2014
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 849cm
Posted on Thursday 30th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
There's another 10cm to report this morning at Hirafu base, but that's not the headline this morning.
It's windy and warm. Well, warm for Niseko mid winter - currently just hanging around just under zero but due to warm up beyond that. As you might expect, that will affect snow conditions this morning.
The south westerly winds are preventing the top Jumbo 4 lift at Annupuri, the Niseko Gondola and top Wonderland Chair at Niseko Village and the King 3 and 4, Ace 4, Hanazono 3 lifts at Hirafu and Hanazono from moving early on. Wind is expected to play with the lifts for the day, so that may well change.
Snow showers expected through the day with more snow due overnight. Hopefully tomorrow will be colder and that's what the forecasts promise.
Oh yes, looks like poor visibility today on the mountain with a foggy start to the day.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -4C, 15cm low pressure snowfall in the last 12hrs. Moiwa 800m: -6C, wind , 20cm new snow, snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: -7C, wind WSW15m/s, 20cm new snow, snowdrift development. Hirafu 1000m: no data. Annupuri peak 1308m: -6.1C, wind WNW8.6m/s. Cape Benkei: SSE6m/s, Cape Kamui: SSW24m/s, wave 2.1m, pressure 1004hPa.
Temperature and SW wind rose with the passing of low pressure system. From observations this morning, till about 9am, the avalanche risk is low, but as the temperature rises today, the risk becomes HIGH from warm temp surface slabs. Below 1000m, steep slopes, under steep lift lines, narrow gullies should be avoided. Dont remain in the valley bottoms. Snow will be good this morning. Gate openings are yet to be decided. Please respect the Patrols decisions. Yesterday in Mizuno no sawa, there was large avalanche travelling approx 1000m. When conditions are right an avalanche will happen, if people are there it becomes an accident. You always need to make wise decisions in the mountains. This information is to help minimise accidents in uncontrolled areas out of the ski areas.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 380cm
Base - 185cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 335cm
Base - 225cm
Annupuri:
Top - 280cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Thursday 30th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 849cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 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 451cm reported on 28 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.