Zao Now: Thursday 5th January 2023
- Jan 5, 2023
- 2 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Zao region of Yamagata
New snowfall at base 6cm
Snowfall at base this season 184cm
Posted on Thursday 5th January 2023 This is an archived report. The latest Zao Now report can be found here.
We did get sunny patches yesterday albeit lower down. Expect same or more today in the afternoon once the snow stops falling.
Long range visibility continues to be low and winds are high in pockets around Chuo and across to the top of Kurohime and above.
Yesterday the Kurohime quad stopped late morning (maybe because of wind and ice clearance on the runners). Sadder was the closure midday onwards of the main Zao Ropeway for mechanical inspection. Tourists for the snow monsters were reportedly stranded at the first station top but I believe may have been brought down by the snow cat used for the night light-up tour.
With the wind, check the lift situation where you're going shown at the main lifts and do not ignore roped-off slopes otherwise you'll be facing a long walk.
It is very cold (before wind chill) so go prepared.
Zao Now 2022-2023 season |
Data as of Thursday 5th January 2023 Total snowfall at base 184cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 27 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 22cm observed on 4 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.