Niseko Now: Tuesday 4th February 2014
- Feb 4, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 10cm
Snowfall at base this season 896cm
Posted on Tuesday 4th February 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Just under 10cm of fresh snow this morning in the Hirafu village area.
Light snow and cloudy/overcast earlier on this morning but the skies have been clearing and we seem to be on for a fine, sunny day. Can't say I was expecting that! The local forecast still has cloud for the day so it may well cloud over once again. For now though - lovely morning.
Not much wind as well this morning with all resorts open as planned.
And it's keeping cold too, so it should be a good morning to be out on the mountain.
Back to snowy conditions tomorrow through Friday.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -10C, 5cm of new snow in last 12 hrs. Moiwa 800m: Occassional northern flurries, Anbetsu side 30cm snowdrift growth. Annupuri 1150m: -13C, wind W8m/s, 10cm snowdrift growth. Hirafu 1000m: -12C, 10cm new snow, calm. Annupuri peak 1308m: -16.9C, wind NW10.3m/s. Cape Benkei: NW9m/s, Cape Kamui: wind N7m/s, wave 1.6m, pressure 1009hPa.
The weather is calm at both sea and mountains and there is little noticeable snowdrift development. Avalanche risk is low. Peak gates are expected to open this morning. Yesterdays tracks are not covered but the snow is good. The ridge lines are hard and crusty, not good for riding. When traversing go one by one. Ride the fall line, dont keep traversing under the cornices.
More cracks are appearing everyday, they release tension in the slope but do not necessarily cause an avalanche immediately. However on NW to NE (Goshiki Onsen side)slopes it is possible for a huge avalanche to be triggered deep within the snowpack at the same time the crack opens. Have a good day. Dont duck ropes.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 380cm
Base - 190cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 345cm
Base - 230cm
Annupuri:
Top - 285cm
Base - 210cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Tuesday 4th February 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 896cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 64 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 37cm reported on 4 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.