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Zao Now: Thursday 14th January 2016

  • Jan 14, 2016
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 4, 2025

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 11cm
Snowfall at base this season 186cm

Posted on Thursday 14th January 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Hello from Zao and there's some more snow this morning again. Another modest 11cm of snowfall outside my place.


It doesn't feel quite as cold this morning but temperatures remaining below zero which is where we want them to be.


The forecast is looking pretty decent at the moment with light snow over the next few days, and then some heavier snowfall promised for early in the week. Keep your eye on Monday and Tuesday for a snowstorm that looks like it will bring with it lots of potential.


All of the lifts at Zao Onsen are operating (except the Karamatsu pair lift which is closed weekdays).

All areas of Zao Onsen are now mostly open.

Note that there is still less snow than usual and it is thin on the ground especially on lower course areas of the resort.


Official snow depths:


Utopia: 65cm

Chuo: 85cm

Paradise: 60cm

Uwanodai: 40cm



Zao Now 2015-2016 season

Data as of Thursday 14th January 2016 Total snowfall at base 186cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 25 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 22cm (on 27th December) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 68cm observed on 11 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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