Weekly Japan Forecast – Fresh Powder & Sunshine As Temps Yoyo in Spring Pattern

Written Thursday morning, 6^th March (Japan Standard Time)

The past week has been a mixed bag here in Japan as spring has brought that typical changeable weather. A wet and mild Sunday turned cold and snowy late in the day, and come Monday morning, resorts on Honshu were reporting a tidy dump of fresh powder.

Wet and warm conditions returned yesterday, Wednesday, but colder winds from the northwest will bring another sizeable dump of powder to the country today, Thursday, and Friday.

Resorts throughout the country will receive another wee top-up of powder this weekend between bouts of sunshine. High pressure then looks to take hold early next week, with more sunshine and mild temperatures. However, another passing Pacific low may bring some rain and high-elevation snowfall across central parts of Honshu on Tuesday.

Thursday 6^th & Friday 7^th March

Yesterday, Wednesday, a low shot out of the west and spread a mild but strong south-southeast flow over the country. This brought low-level rain and high-elevation snow to Honshu, while Hokkaido received snow to reasonably low levels, although it was denser than usual.

Snow will continue to fall at up to moderate rates across the country before easing from late Friday as the low moves away to the northeast. Fortunately, colder winds from the northwest have already arrived on Honshu, bringing snow levels down nice and low, and will start to arrive on Hokkaido later this Thursday afternoon.

Snow quality will then continue to improve as temperatures continue to drop. By the end of this 48-hour period, we should be looking at solid totals of up to 25-50cm for Central Honshu and 10-30cm for Northern Honshu and Hokkaido.

Saturday 8^th & Sunday 9^th March

On Saturday, light, left-over snow showers will clear most resorts during the first half of the day as a ridge of high pressure moves up the country.

Central Honshu will then score a light top-up of powder during Saturday evening and night as a weak low-pressure system passes by in the Pacific. Skies will then clear up for a great Sunday session with a fresh layer to shred.

Hokkaido will also receive a slightly more substantial top-up during the day on Sunday as a quick-fire cold front passes over. The front will then go on to give some resorts in Northern Honshu a light dusting later that evening.

Monday 10^th to Wednesday 12^th March

High pressure will bring fine sunny skies on Monday, with warming temperatures as winds gradually shift to the southwest.

On Tuesday, another low passing by in the Pacific may bring rain and high-elevation snow to central Honshu. Forecasts are still uncertain about how much of it we’ll see and when it’ll start and stop. The worst-case scenario is heavy precipitation spreading up Central Honshu into southern parts of Northern Honshu early in the day before clearing that night. The best-case scenario is that the low only glances the region with light precipitation at some point during the day. Either way, it should all clear up for a super fine and warm spring day on Wednesday.

The rest of Northern Honshu and Hokkaido will remain mostly fine and warm through Tuesday and Wednesday as high pressure continues to dominate the top of the country.

That’s all from me today and for the season, folks. There’s plenty more skiing left here in Japan, and spring is my favourite. So, I’m logging off for a while and getting out there amongst it. It’s been an absolute pleasure bringing you all the highlights and snowlights of the 2024-2025 season, especially since it’s been such a bumper season. See you Down Under in a few months’ time.

Grasshopper