NaganoGo.com

Nozawa is set to open on Saturday with the resort reporting a 45cm base on the Yamabiko slopes. The Nagasaka Gondola and both Yamabiko lifts will be running for the limited opening.

In the last couple of days the forecast has changed somewhat. The system approaching from the south has tracked further to the east and Nozawa should see a small amount of snow from the edge of this low on Friday.  The heavy rain which I feared should be avoided this time round.

Following this is a small low pressure system on Sunday. Once again no significant snowfall is expected and once this moves through a ridge of high pressure builds over the region. This will mean mildish daytime temperatures and clear skies for the first few days of next week.

Well the last week of weather has been fairly disappointing for Nozawa. The forecast snow last Thursday didn’t materialise and although nearby Hakuba had a great dump it bypassed Nozawa and prevented the mountain from opening as planned.

There are a couple of low pressure systems lining Japan up over the next week. The first will arrive with significant moisture on Thursday. It should move through in approximately 24 hours leaving clear skies in its wake. Unfortunately this low has its origins down by the Phillipines and because of its tropical nature it is a fairly warm airmass and heavy rain instead of snow is likely even at the top of Nozawa.

The next system doesn’t look like arriving until the following Tuesday. It is developing over China and should move Southeast to lie in the Sea of Japan by Tuesday night. This will certainly bring colder air to the region but how much moisture will be present is the great unknown. I would imagine this will provide more snow to Hokkaido than to Honshu.

Looks like we may have to wait a little while longer for a good dump of snow!!

Nozawa Onsen was due to be opened on November 22nd. This opening was scheduled a week earlier than last year. Unfortunately they did not get the snow, so are still waiting. This notice was posted on their website (translated from the Japanese)

Nozawa Onsen Ski Area Opening Day Notice of Postponement

Due to insufficient snow, the planned opening of Nozawa on November 22nd, 2008 (Saturday) has been postponed.

As soon as the opening day of the resort is decided we will inform you via this website and our mail newsletter.

We apologise deeply to all those skiers and snowboarders who where looking forward to the opening day of the resort, and hope to receive your understanding.

Snow was due over night and more is set to fall on Thursday. Let’s hope they can get enough to open this weekend.

 The first snow of the season has fallen in the village. These photos were taken yesterday morning, showing a good 10-20 cm at least down at village level. Let’s hope there is enough for an early season kick-off on Saturday.

Matthew Walkington is a pilot, aviation meteorology tutor, and long time weather enthusiast. He has visited Nozawa twice. He will be writing regular weather updates for Nagano Go this season.

Well winter is about to arrive in Nozawa. Shortly the Yamabiko area of the mountain will turn white and stay that way for approximately 5 months. If we are lucky even the heated roads down in the village will get a work out this week.

The forecast over the next few days is very promising and the prospect of the mountain opening as planned on Nov 22nd is now very real.

The key to significant snowfall in Nozawa is having low pressure systems sitting just west or north of Hokkaido. This will drag cold air down from russia which then picks up moisture crossing the Sea of Japan. Once this air reaches Nozawa Onsen it is laden with the snow which makes this mountain famous.

The current forecast has low pressure north of Hokkaido providing a constant  North/Northwest flow for the next 5 days. Temperatures will reduce dramatically and snow will fall!! The most significant falls will be Wednesday and Friday. Tuesday and Thursday should see lighter falls but there is not likely to be significant accumulation.

Beyond Saturday high pressure begins to move back in and the winds change to the warmer southerly direction. This shouldn’t last too long though, as the general trend over the next month will be for the sub tropical belt of high pressure to move further south allowing snow bearing low pressure systems to dominate.

So keep an eye on the webcams over the next week. Nozawa is about to transform and I can’t wait!