Niseko Now: Sunday 5th January 2014
- Jan 5, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 22cm
Snowfall at base this season 475cm
Posted on Sunday 5th January 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Brrrrr, it's an extremely cold morning here in Hirafu. Niseko Village reporting a temperature of -14C a bit earlier this morning on upper slopes. It's about -7 degrees at the moment even here in the village. Be sure to go out wrapped up well today!
Good news. More than 20cm since yesterdays report. It was snowing heavily in the afternoon, in real style, thankfully quickly filling in tracks. It's snowing in style right at this moment on the mountain as well, though over the village there's also a bit of sunlight so mixed weather conditions early on. Which was will it go?
More good news. All lifts are go this morning, so there's no 'w' affecting things.
Monday to Wednesday we might see the snowfall easing off - though as almost always, never too far away - with the next decent snowfall after today forecast for later in the week.
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -7C, 20cm of fresh crystal snow. Moiwa 800m: NW10m/s, -12C, 30cm of fresh, slow development of snowdrifts. Annupuri 1150m:NW15m/s, -13C, 40cm of fresh, development of snowdrifts. Hirafu 1000m: 40cm of fresh, moderate storm until late night, development of snowdrifts. Annupuri peak 1308m: NW14m/s, -15℃. 12pm forecast: NW15m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape NNW10m/s, Kamui cape WNW9m/s, 1.1m waves, 1012hPa.
Snowdrifts and cornices are developing in leeward SE facing slopes above 800m. According to snowfall transition, they are forming slightly heavy soft-slabs. Although the avalanche risk is considerable in slopes above 1000m with highly wind-affected snowdrifts development; namely Backbowl sidewalls and Higashi-One cornice slopes, the general avalanche risk is moderate to low. The snow in the tree is deep.
There has been 2 search & rescue cases in upper North face and strictly off-limits Haru no taki area yesterday. Critical accidents are being prevented in Niseko by explaining the dangers of out of bounds skiing and calling for people’s awareness. Please be aware that out of bounds skiing involves high risks. Always be prudent. Strictly of limits areas are not to be entered at any time and any reasons. One selfish thinking will increase the number of people ducking ropes and eventually end up in an accident. We strongly demand everyone to respect the Rules. Peak gates are scheduled to open, please pay attention to the ski patrol’s advice before stepping out of bounds. Beware of sudden change of weather.
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Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 295cm
Base - 155cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 210cm
Base - 140cm
Annupuri:
Top - 170cm
Base - 150cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Sunday 5th January 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 475cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 36 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 35cm (14th, 15th and 24th December) November 2013 snowfall 123cm reported on 9 days December 2013 snowfall 275cm reported on 22 days January 2014 snowfall 77cm reported on 5 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.