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Zao Now: Friday 1st December 2023

  • Dec 1, 2023
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 2cm
Snowfall at base this season 34cm

Posted on Friday 1st December 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Greetings from Zao.


Today’s newest snowfall of just over 2cm was observed today.


The skies our slightly overcast and cloudy, but look to be moving slowly on into the horizon thanks to a lack of any noticeable wind.


There is currently snowfall, but unfortunately tiny and light flakes.


The prior 30cm or so of snowfall is still hanging around and getting densely packed.


Great news!


The ski area is going to open from tomorrow, one week earlier than originally planned!


The Zao Chuo Ropeway and the Chuo Number 1 lift will be open, starting from 8:30am.



Zao Now 2023-2024 season

Data as of Friday 1st December 2023 Total snowfall at base 34cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 5 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 18cm (on 30th November) November 2023 snowfall 32cm observed on 4 days December 2023 snowfall 2cm observed on 1 day




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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