2025.02.04 Tuesday

Moiwa Mountain base -1℃, 3cm new snow. Moiwa 800m: -3.3℃, ESE8.0m/s, wind increasing from 4am. Mikaeri 750: -7℃, WSW1.3m/s, low pressure snowfall beginning. Annupuri 1100m: -5.1℃, ESE9.5m/s. Hirafu Hanazono: -4.8℃, SSE11.2m/s. Coastal data: Benkei Cape S3m/s, Kamui Cape E11m/s, 991hPa, wave 0.7m, Aonae Cape, Okushiri Island SW11m/s, 988hPa

The wind and snow is expected to intensify as a low pressure passes Okushiri Island. There is no significant avalanche risk from morning observations, but if this low pressure snowfall exceeds 30cm, avalanches on 35 deg slopes with unclear fracture surfaces are likely to occur. Be careful as these avalanches can occur at any altitude including forested areas. If the wind gets stronger and the weight of the new slab exceeds the shear stress, the possibility of large surface avalanches will increase dramatically. This type of avalanche is dangerous because a wide area of ​​the snow surface will break instantly and move downhill at high speed. Many accidents have occurred due to this type of avalanche. Snow changes everyday. What was good yesterday is not good today. Accidents are caused by assumptions, overconfidence, and blind trust in knowledge and skills. It is best to avoid valleys, gullies and creeks in bad weather. If there are no people there, no accidents will occur. Gate openings are undecided yet. Do not duck ropes. Have a nice day.

Quote: Niseko Avalanche Information