Blue skies and highs of 9 degrees Celcius in Wadano yesterday had snow melting and spring-like conditions in the afternoon. We awoke this morning to a few centimetres of snow which continues to fall and looks set to do so through today and tomorrow. Fairly mild this morning with a minor temperature inversion of -2 at the base and -1 on top currently sitting at 0 degrees in Wadano. Will be interesting conditions with some melt-freeze from yesterday on lower aspects with fresh snow falling on top. Temperatures should drop through today and heavy snowfall is forecast for tonight meaning by tomorrow morning powder should be sweet..
Backcountry Travel Advisory:
Strong winds Thursday have created thick wind slabs on South and South East aspects that may be unstable in steep convexing terrain. Continued solar radiation on East and South aspects yesterday melted the surface snow through the day and result in rapid settlement today and increased pressure on these recent wind slabs. Todays solar radiation will also create an even harder melt / freeze crust that will pose instability with the fore casted new snow over the week end. Take due care around exposed rocks and sparse trees on solar aspects and in steep lee slopes. The recent snow is very variable in depth due to the wind and solar radiation so be aware of this when entering into slopes and stay away from shallow snow on steep entrances in to chutes and open slopes.
Avalanche Hazard:
Alpine: Considerable
Tree line: Moderate
Below Tree Line: Low
See Below for International Danger scale classifications or click on the Canadian Avalanche Association web page for the International Danger Scale.
TEMPERATURE IN THE VILLAGE:
-2 degrees C.
TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:
-1 degrees C.
WIND:
Light Westerlies with some gusts.
VISIBILITY:
Average due to snow
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Happo-One:
BASE DEPTH: 90 cm(at the base); 270 cm(at 1500m)
Goryu/47:
BASE DEPTH:115 cm(at the base); 335 cm(at 1500m)
Tsugaike Kogen:
BASE DEPTH: 180 cm(at the base); 270 cm(at 1500m)
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LIFT OPERATION:
Goryu Toomi, Hakuba 47, Happo-One, Tsugaike Kogen, Iwatake, Cortina, Sanosaka, Sun Alpina, Minekata, Hakuba Highland, Yanaba, all open but with limited gondola and lift service due to wind.