Niseko Now: Friday 7th March 2014
- Mar 7, 2014
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 25cm
Snowfall at base this season 1093cm
Posted on Friday 7th March 2014 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
A very good morning from Niseko.
And yes it is another good one as I have about 25cm of fresh snow to report. It is good and cold as well, and snow is continuing to fall from the skies making visibility less than great on the slopes, but conditions should make up for that. I am beginning to like this early March!
Less exciting is the moderate wind again today which at the moment looks to be affecting the following lifts:
Annupuri: Gondola, Jumbo 4
Village: Wonderland chair
Hirafu: Ace 4, King 3, King 4
Hanazono: Hanazono Number 3
As always, that can change with the conditions so lets hope they can get those top lifts moving, but looking at the forecast we can perhaps expect windy conditions for the next few days. (The good news is that we can also expect snow and cold temps too!)
---
9:20am update
More lifts closed as the winds try to spoil things.... Annupuri is completely closed, with the Ace 3 and Swinging Monkey lifts not moving at Hirafu and the Hanazono Number 2 lift also stationary. Keep an eye on the official site for real-time updates.
Take a look at the report below - extreme avalanche risk. Take care out there.
---
Niseko Avalanche Report
Niseko base 6am: -8C, stormy, 35cm of snowfall in 12 hours. Moiwa 600m: 40cm of snowdrift development. Annupuri 1150m: W15m/s, large development of snowdrifts, -14C. Hirafu 1000m: 40cm of new snow, -13C. Peak 1308m: W14.1m/s, -16.9℃. Coastal data: cape Benkei NW18m/s, cape Kamui W13m/s, 2.8m waves, 1010hPa.
The low-pressure system has grown as powerful as a Typhoon and generating a very strong winter pressure pattern. The ocean and the mountains are under a heavy storm, making snowdrifts develop drastically. According to observations and snowfall transition, the avalanche risk in Niseko range and the surrounding mountains is extreme. Peak gates will be closed. Stay away from steeps, cornices and knolls above treeline. Snowdrifts have piled up to 200cm in thickest zones. Heavily developed cornices are extremely unstable and would trigger an avalanche as they fall. Potential sliding layer is March 3rd layer, which has become a weak hoar layer due to large temperature change, and can easily let go the slab above it. The surface slab is thick, heavy and very unstable. Most accidents are caused by stimulating developing snowdrifts (slabs). Mountain conditions are ever-changing. It can be safe one day but totally change to extreme conditions the next day.
---
Official snow depth numbers and lift news at time of writing:
Grand Hirafu / Hanazono:
Top - 410cm
Base - 200cm
Niseko Village:
Top - 380cm
Base - 210cm
Annupuri:
Top - 380cm
Base - 200cm
Niseko Now 2013-2014 season |
Data as of Friday 7th March 2014 Total snowfall at base so far 1093cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 85 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 178cm reported on 20 days March 2014 snowfall 56cm 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.