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Zao Now: Wednesday 12th January 2022

  • Jan 12, 2022
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 306cm

Posted on Wednesday 12th January 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Snow storm warning broadcasted on the phone this morning and there are definitely signs of this about.


The Omori/Kurohime sides of the mountain are shut and I am surprised that the others are still showing as being open. More lifts may shut during the day. Very strong winds at mid-level is predicted with temperatures being in the -20s from wind chill.


The snow should continue to fall during the day with more anticipated for tomorrow but high winds still forecasted through Saturday.


Could be a good day for the Onsen?!


Official snow depth


Summit: 90cm

Paradise: 150cm

Chuo: 150cm

Utopia: 185cm

Uwanodai: 115cm



Zao Now 2021-2022 season

Data as of Wednesday 12th January 2022 Total snowfall at base 306cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 27 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (on 27th and 28th December) November 2021 snowfall 38cm observed on 3 days December 2021 snowfall 160cm observed on 14 days January 2022 snowfall 108cm observed on 10 days




All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Zao Onsen. 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.


SnowJapan is an entirely independent operation. Our daily reports are not posted on behalf of ski areas or any other business or organisation. Since first going online in 1999, the integrity of this website has always been our top priority, and it is something we are not prepared to compromise. All content is carefully created and written by humans who share a passion for the subject and what SnowJapan stands for.



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