Cold in the cold winter in record-breaking "snow-less winter" in various places at 17:38 on January 15

In this winter, the flow of cold air is weak, and the amount of snowfall in each place has been the lowest since 1956, when statistics remain, and it has been recorded as "Winter with little snow".

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the amount of snowfall on the Sea of ​​Japan side last month was 47% in northern Japan and 0% in western Japan compared to the normal year, the lowest in December since 1956, when statistics remain for December.

In addition, snow does not fall even when the year dawns, and the amount of snowfall on the Sea of ​​Japan side in the beginning of this month is 28% in northern Japan, 1% in eastern Japan, 0% in western Japan, and as early as January. Also recorded the lowest ever.

At 9:00 am on the 15th, snowfall in various places was 10 cm in Sapporo, 20% of normal, 7 cm in Aomori and 13% of normal, and 0 cm in Yamagata with 20 cm of snow in normal. You.

Of the 16 observation points in Niigata Prefecture, only two locations have snow cover of 1 cm or more. The average snow cover is about 1 meter and 40 cm in average, 18 cm in Tsunan town in heavy snowfall area, and 5 in Niina, Uonuma city. Stays in centimeters.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the westerly winds in the sky are flowing more northward than normal in Japan this winter, so it is difficult for the cold air to go south, and there is little snow. about it.

Open prospects at many ski resorts in Hyogo Prefecture

There are 16 ski resorts in Hyogo Prefecture, but many have no prospect of opening and are affected by the warm winter, such as using artificial snow to operate on limited courses.

There are 16 ski resorts in Hyogo prefecture, of which seven ski resorts have machines that make artificial snow, and six of them have limited courses.

One of the nine locations has decided to close this season and the other eight have no prospect of opening.

At Kanabe Kogen in Hidaka-cho, Toyooka, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors each season, only one of the three ski areas is open due to lack of snow.

At the Snow Park Okujin, which is open, only the artificial snow course is open, and on the 13th of this month, the last day of the three-day holiday, youth groups and families were seen.

According to the company that manages the ski slopes, if it is snowy and fully open, more than 1,000 people visit a day on holidays, but yesterday only over 300 people.

Hiroo Inoue, president of the management company, said, “We have six snowmaking machines operating 24 hours a day to make snow and manage the slopes, but the temperature is high and it melts quickly, so we have a hard time. I hope we can do business with snow. "

On the other hand, “Up Kannabe Ski Resort” has no snow on the slopes, so it is not possible to hold a “ski classroom” that was reserved from about 40 schools including elementary and junior high schools from this month to next month.

For this reason, ski resort management companies have reopened sledding, skiing, and campsites on the turf slopes, which are open from spring to autumn, until enough snow is expected.

Taichi Nakano, a management company, said, "I'm sorry that there is no snow, but I can play on the grass so I want to promote this until there is snow. I feel there is demand for campsites, I want you to come and visit Kannabe Kogen because it can be enjoyed even without snow. "

Opinions for tourism organizations and other prefectures seeking funding

Since the record shortage of snow has affected the operation of ski resorts in the prefecture, tourism organizations and others held meetings, and in this meeting, opinions were raised on Hyogo Prefecture for assistance in operating funds.

Approximately 30 people participated in the meeting held in Asago City, including officials from local tourist organizations and local governments in the Tajima and Harima areas, which have many ski resorts.

In Hyogo Prefecture, there is a record shortage of snow in Toyooka City in the northern part of Japan this winter, and there are a number of ski resorts that cannot be opened and have limited courses.

At the meeting on the 15th, it was reported that not only ski resorts but also related accommodations and rental shops were stranded and the business was affected, and attendees requested Hyogo Prefecture for management funding etc. Opinion was given.

After the meeting, Nobuyuki Yamamoto, Deputy Director of the Hyogo Prefecture Tourism Promotion Division, told NHK that he would like to continue discussions as a prefecture and consider ways to respond.