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Zao Now: Wednesday 15th January 2025

  • Jan 15, 2025
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 17cm
Snowfall at base this season 283cm

Posted on Wednesday 15th January 2025 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


We have had steady light to moderate snowfall since last night around 7pm. The fog got quite thick around 2pm yesterday. There is fog again today, but not quite as thick and not very low on the mountain.


Snow expected for the day today and maybe tomorrow though less so.


Strong winds for Friday and then sunshine is currently forecast for Saturday.


Official snow depth (reported by ski area):

Yokokura area: 90cm

Uwanodai area: 95cm

Utopia area: 195cm

Chuo area: 190cm

Paradise area: 190cm

Summit area: 155cm


Lifts & courses:

The ski area is open as planned



Zao Now 2024-2025 season

Data as of Wednesday 15th January 2025 Total snowfall at base 283cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 36 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 28cm (on 10th January) November 2024 snowfall 18cm observed on 4 days December 2024 snowfall 162cm observed on 20 days January 2025 snowfall 103cm observed on 12 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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