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Zao Now: Friday 16th December 2022

  • Dec 16, 2022
  • 2 min read

Updated: Oct 8, 2025

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 12cm
Snowfall at base this season 61cm

Posted on Friday 16th December 2022 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Good morning.


The snow has continued and it is feels really cold out there - more than the numbers show, too.


The Chuo Number 1, Mikaeri and Onsen Number 1 pair lifts are operating this morning with Chuo area now officially all open and Uwanodai part available.


Over the next 3-4 days more snow is forecast, particularly around Sunday/Monday.


We can probably expect more lifts and areas to open up as this snow continues.



Zao Now 2022-2023 season

Data as of Friday 16th December 2022 Total snowfall at base 61cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 11 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 12cm (on 8th and 16th December) November 2022 snowfall 0cm December 2022 snowfall 61cm 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.


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