New snow base figures represent the depletion caused by last nights rainfall and recent lack of snow. Snow falling fast and wet today so hopefully we see a decent increase and colder temperatures bringing lighter snow all round.
Heavy rain down to who knows what altitude from last night to 7:00 this morning. Temperatures have dropped and snow has started falling wet and fast. Conditions today should be a mixed bag of powder up top and ice further down with some mix of those two in between. Shwoosh (^_^), crunch (>_<).Forecast:
Temperatures have dropped, expect snow through the day. Falling wet and fast in the village so there should be some nice powder up top. [edit] Word is the snow on top of Goryu & Happo this morning is wet and heavy with ice underneath…here’s hoping for an improvement on fresh snow quality through the day.
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TEMPERATURE IN THE VILLAGE:
0 degrees C.
TEMPERATURE AT TOP OF MOUNTAIN:
-1 degrees C.
WIND:
Light North-Easterlies
VISIBILITY:
Poor to average due to snow.
LIFT OPERATION:
Goryu Toomi, Hakuba 47 the Gondola, Happo-One, Tsugaike Kogen, Iwatake, Cortina, Sanosaka, Sun Alpina, open.
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Backcountry Travel Advisory:
The storm snow over new years has definately settled and bonded well to the rain crust of December 29th. The 20cms of new snow on January 8th was sliding off in covex areas of 35 degrees plus durring the storm. Wind from the south west durring the storm of Dec. 8th loaded Northern lee slopes. Tests today showed that the new snow is bonding well to the new years storm snow.
Warm temperatures at low elevation could produce instability in the surface snow and at higher elevations on Sothern slopes with direct solar radiation. Those traveling in the back country should take general caution and still watch out for steep lee slopes, loaded gullies and solar radiated slopes.Hazard:
Above tree line: Moderate
Tree line: Moderate
Below tree line: Moderate
See Below for International Danger scale classifications or click on the Canadian Avalanche Association web page for the International Danger Scale.
Low:
Natural avalanches very unlikely. Human triggered avalanches unlikely.
Travel is generally safe. Normal caution advised.
Moderate:
Natural avalanches unlikely. Human triggered avalanches possible.
Use caution in steeper terrain on certain aspects.
Considerable:
Natural avalanches possible. Human triggered avalanches probable.
Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.
High:
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Extreme:
Widespread natural or human triggered avalanches certain.
Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided and confined to low angle terrain, well away from avalanche path runouts.
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Happo-One:
BASE DEPTH: 100 cm(at the base); 230 cm(at 1500m)
Goryu/47:
BASE DEPTH:80 cm(at the base); 260 cm(at 1500m)
Tsugaike Kogen:
BASE DEPTH: 100 cm(at the base); 230 cm(at 1500m)
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