It was raining for most of the morning yesterday, quite heavy at times, though it did ease off in the afternoon and we were left with a cloudy day. It is around 2C this morning in Yuzawa and the sun is out. Some cloud hanging around bit it should be a fine morning here, with temperatures rising to around 7C later on this afternoon.

The sun was out for pretty much all of yesterday and it turned out to be a lovely day. We haven't escaped the rain though, as it has been raining since early morning in Yuzawa. It does seem to be trying to snow so looks like sleet coming down at times and indeed higher up the mountains it is snowing a wet kind of snow.

Today marks the first day open for a number of ski resorts around town. It's a cloudy start to the day but quite bright with the sun even casting shadows at times - and more importantly the rain that was forecast is holding off for now. In fact the rain has dropped off the forecast for today, though hanging about as a chance into early tomorrow. Hopefully we can avoid it.

The sun is out and we have blue skies all around the region this morning - it has certainly started off as a beautiful day and may well be until the lifts close though cloud is due to move in later on. It is relatively mild too with a temperature of around +4C here in town early on, and a high of +7C likely.

The snow clouds remain in the area. Yesterday it was on and off, and in the evening there were some really nice big snowflakes coming down from the sky. About 70cm of untouched snow behind SJ World Headquarters in Minamiuonuma.

Yesterday in the morning the clouds parted for a while and we were treated to some brilliant blue skies for a while. Everywhere looked gorgeous. Clouds eventually moved back in and overnight there has been some new snowfall, up to 10cm and Kagura reporting up to 20cm.

More snow has fallen since yesterday. I have had to move about 20cm off the top of the car last night and there's another 10cm or so on there this morning. The snow has eased off now and we have a curious mix of weather in the region.

Good morning from Yuzawa and what a good one it is as well. Winter feels like it has suddenly properly arrived. Both in Yuzawa and neighbouring Minamiuonuma, we were promosed lots of snow for the weekend and it was looking like we might have been left out of the fun but since yesterday afternoon the snow was turned on and by the evening I had to move 30-40cm off the car outside my house.

Strange weather conditions alert! Yesterday we saw more rain than snow in town unfortunately, though it was snowing higher up and it did eventually turn into snow in town last night and we had about 5-10cm or so this morning on the ground. Earlier on, there was actually lots of blue sky up there and the sun was out, though since then the clouds have moved back in and I am glad to report that it is snowing again.

I wasn't quite expecting to be reporting rain this morning but unfortunately that is what it is doing at the moment at town level anyway. It is snowing higher up now and with temperatures due to decrease during the day though it should hopefully be quickly turning into snow in town as well. We still look good for decent snowfall this weekend, so I'm looking forward to bringing that news soon.

We're back to the clear skies this morning in Yuzawa. The sun is out and all is calm. The calm before a storm perhaps? Those snowy conditions for the weekend are still on the forecast, though it does seem to have been delayed slightly with things kicking off later on tomorrow rather than later today. We'll just have to wait.

There's not much to report this morning.... after a lovely day for the most part yesterday, it's more cloudy this morning. We might just see a spot of rain or sleet today but nothing major. The forecast for the weekend though is promising in terms of snow with decent amounts forecast to fall on the mountains and down to town level as well.

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the region but this morning the clouds are back and it's raining in town and actually feels fairly mild. Snow up at Kagura. Hopefully it won't last too long and soon be sleet and then snow, though the snow around town had pretty much all gone anyway so it's not really the rain doing the damage.

All change early on this morning in Yuzawa. Some cloud over Yuzawa still but just to the north in Minamiuonuma clear skies have started to open up after the snowfall of yesterday and the sun is shining down.