Hakuba Snow Report – 4th Feb 2012

Weather conditions: Cloudy and snowing
New snowfall: 3 to 5 cm (village)
Snow depth: 150cm (Village); 305cm (Top of Goryu)
It is currently snowing at about 2cm per hour and should continue with consistent snowfall throughout the day. Yesterday we saw some bright blue skies and sunshine for the majority of the day. It was quite the change from the stormy weather we have been getting. Winds have affected the ski resorts with wind packed crust on many exposed ridges and pistes. But this new dusting will help soften up the terrain everywhere.This morning the valley temperature is -6.5 C in the valley maintaining the cold trend from this week. Freezing levels are rising over the next couple of days but will remain mild through today. We are expecting a range between -2 C and -4 C with a wind chill making it feel like -11 C. Winds will get up to 4m/s and will run from the WSW, W and NW.

5cm of new snow has been reported on the resorts this morning adding to the great 3m plus base that we have on the resorts throughout the valley. At the moment, visibility is poor and a cloud layer should stick around all day.

The forecast is looking like a warming trend for the next two days which will provide us with some sunshine. There is even a chance of some rain late Monday into Tuesday so fingers crossed we miss out on that particular event. It should be back to snow by late Tuesday and from Wednesday though, as it cools back down and a new weather system makes its way in.