20 Feb 09

This chart uses daily weather data taken from my study plot at 860m in Hakuba.

It is not quite mid-season as I tour from November until June. People have been asking me about comparative cumulative snowfall for last season and this one. It has been a dry year in terms of snow, but not precipitation. The big problem has been temperatures. Last week we received 10cm of rain which should have been 100cm of snow or there abouts. But it wasn't. There have been 4 other rain events that should have been snow. Even accounting for rain rather than snow, this season would still be short of last seasons mark.

Personally, I couldn't care less, it has been a good season of backcountry for me, although many of the lower altitude steep terrain behind Goryu have been poor-to-unskiable compared to last year. The alpine has been great and I have been happy. Less snow, less wind, more clear days and better stability.

My main concern is the lack of of mid-altitude snowpack in late spring. That will make a day trip somewhat more challenging and at times risky.