Lada exiting another dimension
Base at top: 340 cm
Temp at Top: -12 Degree
Base at Uenotaira station: 275 cm
New snow since close: 30 cm
Weather: Heavy snow
Well this almost came out of nowhere! We were expecting a decent fall last night, but nothing too special until the forecasts made a sudden upgrade yesterday. Even in this hyper predicted day and age we still sometimes get surprises, such is the case now. Howling overnight winds kept many awake bringing heavy snow and blizzard conditions across the mountain. Since last lifts official measurements show (or thanks to the strong winds in this case an estimate) 30cm of fresh snow at Yamabiko, 30cm at Uenotaira and 15cm down here in town. Today strong winds, heavy snow and blizzard conditions are set to continue making for frigid but epic conditions riding. Extra layers are recommended and wind holds are to be expected. Today the power of nature can be appreciated amongst deep Japanese powder snow.
Yesterday we saw bluebird conditions last for most of the day. It was only late in the afternoon that we saw evidence of this approaching system as lenticular clouds built above the alpine peaks, tails of spindrift indication of storm force winds intercepting the higher elevations. The riding was good but not great, an icy base still well and truely affecting turns off piste. On piste was a smoother affair with quality turns especially earlier in the day. Temperatures remained slightly colder than expected keeping the snow quality high.
Snowfalls and blizzard conditions look to continue into the afternoon before easing overnight. Lighter snow showers are predicted for tomorrow before the weather breaks at some point in the afternoon. Saturday will be clear with light winds, but will warm during the afternoon. Sunday will warm as well thanks to a southerly inflow before another low pressure system take aim on the region, directing a NW flow towards Honshu from Monday onwards.
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