How much does it snow in japan? Well, a lot.
It’s difficult to nail down hard numbers on Japanese snowfall, but it’s rumored that parts of Japan receive an average of 1,200 inches per year!
Related: Top 5 Ski Areas In Japan
At the very popular ski area of Niseko, on the island of Hokkaido, the skiers and riders enjoy around 600″ per season. However, Niseko has seen season snowfall totals of 1,500″. That’s over 100 feet of snow!
Sea Effect Snow
The reason Japan receives such a copious amount of snowfall largely due to its opportune geographical location.
Also Read: The Greatest Snowfall Records of All-Time
Super cold winds blow across Siberia pick up moisture over the Sea of Japan. When these cold moisture-laden winds collide with the Japanese Alps, massive snowfalls ensue. Think of it as lake-effect snow, but on a massive scale. This means that you don’t need storms to roll in to get snowfall, you just need the winds to blow.
Japan Snow Facts
- The heaviest 24 hour snowfall ever recorded occured on February of 1927 on Mt. Ibuki, which saw 90.6″ in a day.
- Sapporo sees an average of 235″ a year, making it the snowiest city in the world with a population of more than 1,000,000 people.
- Tsunan is the snowiest town in Japan and sees an average of 531″ each year.
- Sukayu Onsen (hot spring) records an average 694″ of snow every winter.
[Photo Tour]
Image: powerfulstorms.com
Image: Mountainwatch.com