Zao Snow Report and Forecast
Snow Forecast for Zao
When will there be fresh snow?
This is the Snow Forecast for Zao, Japan for 16 days from 13 March.
Updated 12 March 2025 19:38 CDT.
| Next Snow Expected | 15 March |
|---|---|
| Next Snow Amount | 2cm |
| Next 48 Hours | 2cm |
| Next 7 Days | 22cm |
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For Forecast detail, see below.
For current snow depths and skiing conditions, see our Current Snow Report for Zao.
Forecast for today in Zao
Max 13℃
Min 2℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 2℃ to daytime highs around 13℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Thu
13
Snow unlikely
Clear sky.
Zao has 2cm new snow forecast in the next 48 hours.
Zao Snow Report
| Upper Snow Depths |
| - |
| Lower Snow Depths |
| - |
| Snow Conditions |
| - |
Zao 7-Day Snow Forecast Overview
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| Thu 13 | Fri 14 | Sat 15 | Sun 16 | Mon 17 | Tue 18 | Wed 19 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind | SW F2 | S F4 | NW F6 | SW F3 | SW F2 | ||
| 1,661m | 13℃
| 7℃
| 8℃
 +2cm
| 0℃
 +16cm
| -4℃
| -5℃
 | -5℃
 +2cm
|
| SW F2 | S F4 | NW F6 | SW F3 | SW F2 | |||
| 1,221m | 13℃
| 7℃
| 8℃
+2cm
| 2℃
+10cm
| -1℃
| -2℃
| -2℃
+2cm
|
| SW F2 | S F4 | NW F6 | SW F3 | SW F2 | |||
| 780m | 13℃
| 7℃
| 8℃
+2cm
| 5℃
+1cm
| 1℃
| 1℃
| 1℃
 +2cm
|
| Snow Line | 780m | varying 1,509m | 780m | 780m | 780m | ||
| Max Town | 13℃ | 7℃ | 8℃ | 5℃ | 1℃ | 1℃ | 1℃ |
| Min Town | 2℃ | -1℃ | -2℃ | 0℃ | -4℃ | -3℃ | -5℃ |
This table shows the average forecast snowfall, the maximum temperature, and expected general weather at resort, lower and upper mountain levels. For daily forecast details, see below.
Zao Medium-Range (7-Day) Snow Forecast Detail
Note :- Mountain weather is extremely dynamic; the forecast below will change. Any forecast snow may move forward or back in the forecast, and predicted snowfall depths will be revised in subsequent updates.
Max 13℃
Min 2℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 2℃ to daytime highs around 13℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Thu
13
Snow unlikely
Clear sky.
Max 7℃
Min -1℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) conditions, with valley temperatures cooling to -1℃ and rising to 7℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Fri
14
Snow unlikely
Clear sky.
Max 8℃
Min -2℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) conditions, with valley temperatures cooling to -2℃ and rising to 8℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Sat
15
2cm New Snow
Clear sky, fair, snow showers later.
Snow falling to resort level.
Max 5℃
Min 0℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 0℃ to daytime highs around 5℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) from mid-mountain up.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Sun
16
1cm to 16cm New Snow
Snow first, rain then rain showers, clear spells later.
Snow Line from 1,509m to resort level.
Max 1℃
Min -4℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) conditions, with valley temperatures cooling to -4℃ and rising to 1℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Mon
17
Snow unlikely
Clear spells first, snow showers then cloudy, light snow later.
Max 1℃
Min -3℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of -3℃ to daytime highs around 1℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Tue
18
Snow unlikely
Cloudy, fair, cloudy later.
Max 1℃
Min -5℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of -5℃ to daytime highs around 1℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Wed
19
2cm New Snow
Cloudy, light snow, clear spells later.
Snow falling to resort level.
This Snow Forecast for Zao, Japan gives the predicted Snowfall and Freezing Levels for the next week.
The forecast snowfall depths given are the likely average accumulations for the Lower and Upper slopes. The actual snow depth in Zao, on any given piste or itinerary, may be dramatically different, particularly if the snowfall is accompanied by high winds and/or varying air temperatures.
Snow Forecasts beyond two days ahead are subject to significant change and variable reliability.
Zao Snow Forecast updated at 19:38 CDT, next update expected 01:00 CDT.
Snow Forecast near Zao
| Snow Report and Forecast | 48 Hr | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | 7 Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shiga Okusiga Kogen | 3cm | 10cm | |||||||
| Shiga Giant | - | 5cm | |||||||
| Shiga Hoppo Bunadaira | - | 5cm | |||||||
| Shiga Yakebitaiyama | 2cm | 4cm | |||||||
| Shiga Higashitateyama | 1cm | 3cm | |||||||
| Shiga Ichinose Diamond | - | 2cm | |||||||
| Shiga Hasuike | - | 1cm |
Understanding and predicting Snow Conditions in Zao
Here are our tips for making the most of a trip to Zao, with the help of the J2Ski Snow forecasts and reports. You can find some great skiing in Zao, but like any mountain, snow conditions change throughout the season, from day to day, and even from hour to hour.
Whether you’re sticking to the marked pistes or venturing off-piste, here’s what you need to know:
Pistes (Groomers) or Off-Piste
These can be a world apart, regarding snow conditions, even ignoring the difference between the natural terrain features to be found off-piste and the generally controlled surfaces and slopes of a pisted (groomed) run.
- Piste Conditions can range from fresh powder to firm, icy surfaces, particularly after warm spells or a busy day on the mountain with the passage of many skiers.
- Off-Piste Conditions are far more variable. Wind and sun can quickly transform fresh snow into wind crust or slushy layers, whilst cold weather can preserve stashes of powder many days after a snowfall.
WARNING - skiing off-piste (out-of-bounds) at Zao is uncontrolled and un-marked slopes are not made safe (from avalanche risk) or patrolled. Always check local advice, know the Avalanche Risk Level, ski with safety kit (and know how to use it), and never ski alone.
Analyzing Weather and Snowfall Forecasts
Whilst no forecast can tell you exactly how snow conditions in Zao will develop, checking the forecast regularly should give you an idea of what to expect.
New snowfall can bring fresh powder and refresh the surfaces of pisted runs. Powder can be tracked out quickly at busy times, but in less crowded and shaded areas, fresh snow can linger for days.
Changes in weather conditions, such as milder temperatures, rain or wind, can degrade snow quality. Conversely, cold, stable weather can preserve conditions for extended periods.
Predicting Future Snow Quality
Regularly check our snow and weather forecasts for Zao for changes that may affect snow quality. Forecast snowfall depth and recent snowfall are good indicators of what to expect.
Use historical data and recent snow reports to understand past snow conditions and anticipate future changes.