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Zao Now: Thursday 3rd March 2016

  • Mar 3, 2016
  • 2 min read

Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata


New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 451cm

Posted on Thursday 3rd March 2016 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.


Good morning from Zao and snow is falling, with limited visibility up on the mountain this morning. At the start of the day anyway.


There's been 6cm of fresh snow delivered down here at village base and it's coming down as I write.


Today should be good - just be sure you know where you're going with the visibility like it is.


After today it's going to really start warming up over the next few days, with the peak of the warmth being Sunday. Not only warm but probably rain too, so Sunday may not be the best day to be planning on being here.


Tomorrow and Saturday (first half at least), lots of sunshine is on the forecasts at the moment.


The Karamatsu pair lift is generally closed on weekdays.

The evening light up ropeway service has now finished for the season.


Official snow depths:


Utopia: 115cm

Chuo: 150cm

Paradise: 145cm

Uwanodai: 85cm



Zao Now 2015-2016 season

Data as of Thursday 3rd March 2016 Total snowfall at base 451cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 59 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 46cm (on 19th January) November 2015 snowfall 22cm observed on 2 days December 2015 snowfall 96cm observed on 12 days January 2016 snowfall 211cm observed on 25 days February 2016 snowfall 83cm observed on 17 days March 2016 snowfall 39cm observed on 3 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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