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Japan Weekly Snow Roundup #298
Weekly Snow News for Japan, updated 21 January 2026: Japan leads global snowfall again, with 1m (40") in 72 hours on Hokkaido and heavy, cold powder spreading into Honshu.
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Yamagata Zao Onsen at 1661 m altitude
Issued by Snow-Forecast.com at: 2 am (local time) / 23 Jan 2026
Now
Friday 23 | Saturday 24 | Sunday 25 | Monday 26 | Tuesday 27 | Wednesday 28 | |||||||||||||
AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | AM | PM | night | |
 | |  |  |  | | | |  | | |  | | | | | | | |
light snow | light snow | light snow | mod. snow | snow shwrs | light snow | light snow | light snow | mod. snow | light snow | snow shwrs | snow shwrs | light snow | mod. snow | mod. snow | light snow | light snow | light snow | |
km/h | ||||||||||||||||||
Snow map |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||
1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
max °C | -13 | -13 | -11 | -11 | -12 | -13 | -15 | -16 | -15 | -13 | -11 | -9 | -7 | -9 | -12 | -13 | -13 | -13 |
min °C | -14 | -13 | -13 | -12 | -12 | -15 | -15 | -16 | -16 | -14 | -12 | -10 | -7 | -10 | -13 | -13 | -13 | -13 |
-28 | -26 | -25 | -22 | -21 | -30 | -30 | -32 | -31 | -26 | -23 | -20 | -16 | -21 | -28 | -27 | -27 | -27 | |
95 | 96 | 93 | 96 | 84 | 93 | 89 | 92 | 97 | 81 | 78 | 76 | 75 | 96 | 97 | 86 | 88 | 83 | |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 300 | 400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
 | 6:50 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:48 | — | — | 6:47 | — | — | 6:46 | — | — |
 | — | 4:50 | — | — | 4:51 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:52 | — | — | 4:53 | — | — | 4:54 | — |
Next 0-3 days weather summary:
A heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Sat morning. Extremely cold (max -11°C on Fri night, min -16°C on Sun afternoon). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WNW on Sat afternoon, severe gales from the WNW by Sat night).
Next 4-6 days weather summary:
A moderate fall of snow, heaviest on Tue afternoon. Temperatures will be well below freezing (max -7°C on Tue morning, min -14°C on Mon morning). Winds increasing (moderate winds from the WSW on Mon night, severe gales from the WNW by Tue night).
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Snow Radar
Latest snow reports near Yamagata Zao Onsen:
Yamagata Zao Onsen Snow Conditions
| Top snow depth: | 150 cm |
|---|---|
| Bottom snow depth: | 70 cm |
| Fresh snowfall depth: | 21 cm |
| Last snowfall: | 22 Jan 2026 |
| Snow Alerts | Create Alert |
Other resorts in Japan - Yamagata are reporting: powder (0) / good piste (0)
Snow History
Week 4 of January has on average:
1.7 | Bluebird Powder days Fresh snow, mostly sunny, light wind. |
|---|---|
2.6 | Powder days Fresh snow, limited sun, any wind. |
0.8 | 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 (0) / good piste (0)
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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