Beautiful clouds and the village bathed in sun

From Nozawa 27/2/2010

Finally some fresh snow for Nozawa – only 6cm reported for Yamabiko but it is definitely a start. More precipitation is predicted for the coming week but it will be touch and go as to whether it falls as snow or rain, most likely the latter on the lower slopes and down in the village.

New Snow (Resort): 6 cm

New Snow (Village): 2 cm

Weather: Light westerly winds and overcast conditions today with fog higher up in the resort affecting visibility.

Official statistics:

Low cloud hiding the top half of the resort from view

From Nozawa 27/2/2010

It is an overcast day here in Nozawa Onsen with low cloud and fog hiding the top half of the resort from view. The upper slopes however are above the clouds and visibility is not bad up there. Again no new snow overnight and the rain and warmer temperatures are really biting into the snow pack. It has got quite a bit colder though, with a forecast top of 4 degrees C at village level and some light snow is predicted to fall in the morning tomorrow.

New Snow (Resort): 0 cm

New Snow (Village): 0 cm

Weather: Light northerly winds and light rain this morning with low cloud and fog affecting visibility on the lower slopes.

Official statistics:

Breaking from the pattern of beautiful sunny days that we have had recently, today has dawned cloudy. Unfortunately it is still warm and those clouds have also brought rain. As you can see from the official statistics the base has lost 5~10cm since yesterday and with this rain there is bound to be more melting away. Slightly colder weather forecast for the weekend but returning to warmer conditions on Monday with heavy rain and strong winds before another drop in temperatures on Tuesday night brings a chance of some snow at higher altitudes.

New Snow (Resort): 0 cm

New Snow (Village): 0 cm

Weather: Moderately strong southwesterly winds and rain.

Official statistics:

It is a beautiful spring day here in Nozawa Onsen, with clear skies, sunshine and soft conditions on the slopes. Not so good for the snow pack but great for enjoying the mountains. A front is forecast to come through tonight bringing some precipitation but with temperatures up above 10 degrees it is going to fall as rain. It is predicted to get colder on Saturday with light rain still falling lower down and snow higher up before warm weather and rain on Monday.

New Snow (Resort): 0 cm

New Snow (Village): 0 cm

Weather: Light southerly wind and an expected top of 14 degrees C. Excellent visibility.

Official statistics:

Akakura Onsen is warm and sunny today – hardly a cloud to be seen and an expected top of 10 degrees C. Clouds are expected to move in over night and bring rain by Thursday evening with heavy rain forecast for Friday morning, Saturday night and Monday night. So lots of slushy skiing fun to be had today and tomorrow before the rain comes and lets just hope it gets cold sometime soon….

New Snow (Resort): 0 cm

New Snow (Village): 0 cm

Weather: Light southwesterly wind and an expected top of 10 degrees C. Excellent visibility.

Official statistics:

( Click on the resort names in the table above to see more information about each ski area )

Here is a little video from the hike up Maeyama on Sunday…..

It is a very spring time feel here in Akakura Onsen today, with temperatures well above zero, sun in the sky and slushy conditions on the hill. A top of 6 degrees C is forecast for today and Thursday is looking extra warm with a top of around 13 degrees C before rain on Friday, Saturday and into Sunday morning. Not good for the snow pack but let’s hope it can hang in there until this “fake spring” blows over and we get back to the serious business of winter ….. hopefully!

New Snow (Resort): 0 cm

New Snow (Village): 0 cm

Weather: Light southwesterly wind and an expected top of 6 degrees C. Excellent visibility.

Official statistics:

( Click on the resort names in the table above to see more information about each ski area )

Click here to check out what’s happening in Nozawa Onsen today

A panoramic view from the top of the Mitahara area of Suginohara

Today is another beautiful sunny day here in Myoko. There is a light southwesterly wind with strong gusts and that is bringing the warmer weather our way – a maximum of 5 degrees C is forecast for the village today. Conditions will keep getting warmer this week and rain is forecast for Friday. Fingers crossed that not too much rain falls and that the base can stand up to the beating it is about to receive….

New Snow (Resort): 0 cm

New Snow (Village): 0 cm

Weather: Fine and sunny with a light southwesterly wind and occasional strong gusts. Excellent visibility and temperatures around 5 degrees C at the bottom of the resort.

Official statistics:

( Click on the resort names in the table above to see more information about each ski area )

Click here to check out what’s happening in Nozawa Onsen today

Another bluebird day with relatively warm temp, which are also predicted for the next few days, crowds will be down from yesterdays frenzy, and there may even be a few pow stashes to be found, slopes have been groomed to perfection overnight, and if it warms up enough we might have some fun spring like skiing.

Yamabiko