Zao Now: Monday 20th February 2023
- Feb 20, 2023
- 2 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata
New snowfall at base 3cm
Snowfall at base this season 372cm
Posted on Monday 20th February 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.
Fortunately, the rain yesterday was followed by snow so at least a covering (slightly more higher up). Lovely and soft if you're going straight but ice underneath as soon as you turn. Concentration is required today to not catch an edge.
It should snow throughout today with a more meaningful amount overnight.
There is wind about and the ropeway to the top is not running yet because if this. The wind should lessen during the day. It is, however, not that bad elsewhere.
It is foggy from mid-levels up but you can see in front of you in most places.
Anywhere you go will be icy so really a choice between total viz versus a bit murky and wind.
Give the Hyakumannin slope a miss over at Kurohime however, as, due to wind, it is mostly ice and I think I need a re-wax!
The extra layer overnight combined with the piste-bashers will hopefully improve conditions tomorrow.
Ona final note, the trees are back to being frosty and the snowy trees higher up have been fairly resilient albeit not looking like the poster snow monsters which disappeared quite some time ago now.
Zao Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Monday 20th February 2023 Total snowfall at base 372cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 57 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 30cm (on 24th December) November 2022 snowfall 0cm December 2022 snowfall 162cm observed on 23 days January 2023 snowfall 137cm observed on 24 days February 2023 snowfall 73cm 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.