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North America Weekly Snow Roundup #297
Weekly Snow News for North America, updated 15 January 2026: California nears full opening after seven-foot storms, while Rockies and Northeast enjoy long-awaited midwinter snow.
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Yamagata Zao Onsen at 1661 m altitude
Issued by Snow-Forecast.com at: 2 pm (local time) / 17 Jan 2026
Now
Sat 17 | Sunday 18 | Monday 19 | Tuesday 20 | Wednesday 21 | Thursday 22 | ||||||||||||
PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | |
 |  |  | |  |  | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
light snow | light snow | some clouds | some clouds | some clouds | cloudy | light snow | light snow | light snow | light snow | light snow | light snow | light snow | mod. snow | light snow | light snow | mod. snow | |
km/h | |||||||||||||||||
Snow map |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||
2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 8 | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
max °C | -5 | -10 | -10 | -9 | -5 | -4 | -4 | -3 | -13 | -15 | -16 | -15 | -14 | -14 | -15 | -15 | -15 |
min °C | -8 | -11 | -10 | -9 | -8 | -5 | -4 | -11 | -15 | -16 | -16 | -16 | -14 | -16 | -16 | -15 | -15 |
-20 | -25 | -23 | -19 | -18 | -12 | -12 | -25 | -32 | -33 | -33 | -31 | -27 | -30 | -30 | -28 | -29 | |
81 | 79 | 72 | 82 | 63 | 78 | 81 | 92 | 87 | 79 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 96 | |
900 | 0 | 200 | 400 | 0 | 650 | 950 | 700 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:52 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — | 6:50 | — | — |
 | 4:43 | — | — | 4:44 | — | — | 4:45 | — | — | 4:45 | — | — | 4:47 | — | — | 4:49 | — |
Next 0-3 days weather summary:
A light covering of new snow, mostly falling on Sat afternoon. Temperatures will be below freezing (max -3°C on Mon night, min -15°C on Tue morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WSW on Mon morning, extremely windy from the WNW by Tue morning).
Next 4-6 days weather summary:
A heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Thu night. Extremely cold (max -14°C on Wed afternoon, min -16°C on Tue afternoon). Winds decreasing (stormy winds from the WNW on Tue afternoon, light winds from the W by Thu night).
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Latest snow reports near Yamagata Zao Onsen:
- 26 hours ago
Heavy snow is falling at Yamagata Zao Onsen. from Yamagata Zao Onsen
- 29 hours ago
It is snowing heavily in Yamagata Zao Onsen. from Yamagata Zao Onsen
- 30 hours ago
Snow falling heavily in Yamagata Zao Onsen. from Yamagata Zao Onsen
- 31 hours ago
Snow is falling at Yamagata Zao Onsen. from Yamagata Zao Onsen
Yamagata Zao Onsen Snow Conditions
| Top snow depth: | 100 cm |
|---|---|
| Bottom snow depth: | 70 cm |
| Fresh snowfall depth: | 10 cm |
| Last snowfall: | 16 Jan 2026 |
| Snow Alerts | Create Alert |
Other resorts in Japan - Yamagata are reporting: powder (1) / good piste (1)
Snow History
Week 3 of January has on average:
1.5 | Bluebird Powder days Fresh snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
|---|---|
3.0 | Powder days Fresh snow, limited sun, any wind. |
1.2 | Bluebird days Average snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
Yamagata Zao Onsen Forecast Snowfall
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Photos of Yamagata Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen by Chris Ivin
Zao Onsen by Chris Ivin
Zao Onsen by Chris Ivin
Upload new photo Other resorts in Japan - Yamagata are reporting: powder (1) / good piste (1)
The above table gives the weather forecast for Yamagata Zao Onsen at the specific elevation of 1661 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Yamagata Zao Onsen. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of Japan.
Click here to read further information on freezing levels and how we forecast our temperatures.
Visitor Reviews of Yamagata Zao Onsen
Overall 3.3 Based on 4 votes and 2 reviews
- Snowsure
- Variety of pistes
- Vote
- Tony Brown from Australia writes:
I have skied at Zao 5~6 times since 1984. It is a resort with a great traditional village atmosphere, hot springs and skiing for everyone. The snow monsters look fantastic, however opportunities for skiing amongst them are for advanced skiers only. Most people just stick to the groomed runs. The thing I like most is the ski-in ski-out accommodation options and proximity of the whole village to the lifts. The only draw back is the toll road costs from Yamagata, but if staying at Zao you only pay once. The other negative is that there is a bit of a traverse between some lifts but this is only a minor gripe and won't trouble good skiers. The big bonus is the snow quality, varied terrain and different aspects offering sheltered runs depending on wind direction. The government run Minshiku Ryuzanso is only 50m from the Chuo (middle) gondola and at 8,000 yen per night including 2 meals can't be beat. It also has its own onsen. The manager Furukawa san is still there (2008) and very helpful for foreigners. Highly recommended.
Visitor Reviews of Yamagata Zao Onsen
Tony Brown from Australia writes:
I have skied at Zao 5~6 times since 1984. It is a resort with a great traditional village atmosphere, hot springs and skiing for everyone. The snow monsters look fantastic, however opportunities for skiing amongst them are for advanced skiers only. Most people just stick to the groomed runs. The thing I like most is the ski-in ski-out accommodation options and proximity of the whole village to the lifts. The only draw back is the toll road costs from Yamagata, but if staying at Zao you only pay once. The other negative is that there is a bit of a traverse between some lifts but this is only a minor gripe and won't trouble good skiers. The big bonus is the snow quality, varied terrain and different aspects offering sheltered runs depending on wind direction. The government run Minshiku Ryuzanso is only 50m from the Chuo (middle) gondola and at 8,000 yen per night including 2 meals can't be beat. It also has its own onsen. The manager Furukawa san is still there (2008) and very helpful for foreigners. Highly recommended.
Read 1 more reviews of Yamagata Zao Onsen or submit your own
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