Niseko Now: Wednesday 6th March 2024
- Mar 6, 2024
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 841cm
Posted on Wednesday 6th March 2024 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Good morning.
It's a lovely morning here. No fresh snow, but lots of blue sky, some wispy thin cloud and beautiful scenery to enjoy. And, of course, the snow.
Thankfully it is keeping cold and should be over the coming days too, which is important as there isn't much fresh snow expected.
There was yet another (!) 'inbound ski' feature on one of the Japanese evening news shows last night, featuring lots of foreigners saying the things you'd expect. This time the subject destination was Hakuba*. One of the Japanese business types interviewed even used the phrase 'Hakuba bubble', and Niseko also got a few mentions in there.
I'm getting quite bored of these things now, they can surely only regurgitate this stuff so much. (I can imagine lots of Japanese viewers thinking 'not again!' too). If only they would concentrate more on reporting the latest about Shohei Ohtani!
OK I need to get myself out there to enjoy this beautiful morning.
* A little-known upcoming place in Nagano Prefecture. ;)
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Niseko Avalanche Report
Mountain base 6am: -10℃, no snowfall, good visibility and radiative cooling. Moiwa800m: -12℃, E1.1m/s, no snowfall and good visibility. Mikaeri 764m: -8.8℃, NNE0.9m/s, good visibility. Annupuri1100m: -12.2℃, NNW4.1m/s. Village 1000m: -11.0℃, WSW0.7m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -12.2℃, SSE4.5m/s. Hanazono 800m: -9.5℃, SSE0.0m/s. Coastal data: Benkei cape SSW2m/s, Kamui cape S2m/s, 1017hPa, 0.7m waves.
The atmospheric pressure gradient is flat and the weather is calm over the mountains and the sea. There might not be snow falling, but cold air is still flowing in. According to observations, the snowdrifts that developed in leeward slopes are now mostly stable. The general avalanche risk is low and all gates are scheduled to open. Please follow the ski patrol’s instructions. This avalanche information evaluates the hazards based on weather and snowfall transition. The wind generates snowdrifts and builds cornices. The snow brought by the wind has broken crystals and accumulates in leeward slopes. Those snowdrifts consolidate and stabilise with time, however if these snowdrifts are being stimulated before sinter-consolidation, their structures ruptures and cause an avalanche. The fracture is transmitted throughout the slope in a matter of a split second. Most avalanche accidents, not only in Niseko, occur in these circumstances. Extra caution is required during and just after storms, no matter the slope aspect. The snow particles are equally wind-affected whether on windward or leeward slopes. Accident prevention measures in Niseko are based on this approach. Snow crystal types, surface hoar, south-coast cyclones, storms slabs… Many terms are being used these days, but just knowing those terms will not save you from accidents. The snow above 800m elevation is in epic condition, however a little mediocre in the trees. Is your beacon turned on? Winter sports will never be 100% safe.
Niseko Now 2023-2024 season |
Data as of Wednesday 6th March 2024 Total snowfall at base so far 841cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 83 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 62cm (8th January) November 2023 snowfall 120cm reported on 11 days December 2023 snowfall 247cm reported on 24 days January 2024 snowfall 298cm reported on 24 days February 2024 snowfall 144cm reported on 20 days March 2024 snowfall 32cm 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.