Niseko Now: Wednesday 7th March 2018
- Mar 7, 2018
- 3 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 1233cm
Posted on Wednesday 7th March 2018 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
It is good and cold this morning and I have 11cm of fresh snowfall to report to you from overnight. Hurray!
Looks like the weather will be calmer today after some fairly strong winds during the afternoon yesterday.
It was snowing earlier on but isn't just now as I write this. Actually, it just about is - but it's very very light and almost too difficult to see!
Might we get to see some sunshine today? We might.
And I will of course let you know tomorrow.
Expect lifts and gates to be open this morning.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6am: -8℃, 10cm snowfall. Moiwa800m: -11.7℃, WSW5.4m/s, 15cm snowfall wit snowdrifts development. Annupuri1150m: -15℃, NW15m/s, 15cm snowfall. Hirafu peak: -15℃, W15m/s, 15cm snowfall. Benkei cape: NW12m/s, Kamui cape WNW7m/s, 1043hPa, 2.0m waves.
A strong cold airflow is brought on the edge of the high-pressure system. Intermittent snowfall with 15m/s wind is persisting through the morning. Snowdrifts are slowly growing in leeward slopes. There were no notable instability observed in the snowpack around 800m elevation. The avalanche risk below treeline is low. The wind stayed relatively strong in higher elevation and the new snowdrifts (soft slabs) could easily slide from March 5th layer. Avalanche hazard is relatively high in long and wide open steep slopes.
Peak gates are expected to open depending on the peak chair operation. Listen to the patrol’s instructions, be well prepared and step out from the gates. The new snow in the trees is a bit shallow, but very good for this time of the season. Glide avalanche (full depth slides) hazard is rising in upper west-ridge’s Backbowl side and Annupuri O-sawa 1100m. Glide avalanche does not necessarily occur in warm temperature and visible cracks are not the only signs to evaluate the risks. It is strongly recommended not to ride the valley bottoms in order to avoid being caught in case it slides. Thaw & freeze, the mountain is slowly shifting to Spring. Today’s still like winter. Enjoy your day.
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Wednesday 7th March 2018
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should be operating as planned
Official snow depth:
- Top: 530cm
- Base: 250cm
Niseko Annupuri
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should be operating as planned
Official snow depth:
- Top: 450cm
- Base: 240cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts should be operating as planned (Country Road Chair lift not operating)
Official snow depth:
- Top: 450cm
- Base: 280cm
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Wednesday 7th March 2018 Total snowfall at base so far 1233cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 92 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 45cm (31st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 406cm reported on 27 days January 2018 snowfall 305cm reported on 26 days February 2018 snowfall 299cm reported on 24 days March 2018 snowfall 35cm 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.