Hokkaido Cold Snap Nov 7-10: Heavy Snow and Blizzard Risk

Ahead of Saturday, November 7, which is Rittō (the first day of winter in the traditional Japanese calendar), strong cold air is moving south into northern Japan. A winter-type pressure pattern strengthens from the night of Friday, November 6. From Saturday, November 7 to Tuesday, November 10, snow and wind are expected to intensify, mainly on Hokkaido's Sea of Japan side. Private weather companies say inland and mountain areas of Hokkaido could see heavy snow. The ski season proper is still to come, but this is the first cold wave to bring a substantial amount of snow to the mountains. ^[1][2][4]

Snow in the mountains from Nov 6 night, lowlands too on Nov 7 morning

According to Weathernews, rain in Hokkaido's mountain areas will turn to snow from the night of November 6. On the morning of November 7, cold air of -9°C or lower at around 1,500 m will cover the region, and most areas are expected to get snow. In Tohoku, snow is forecast for the inland north, and at higher elevations in the mountains from southern Tohoku to the Chubu region. One Weathernews article carries the headline "Hokkaido's mountains to see 30 cm or more of snow." ^[2]

Sapporo observatory issues early weather information for low temperatures and snow

On November 2, the Sapporo District Meteorological Observatory issued an "early weather information on low temperatures and snow" notice for the Hokkaido region. For the five days starting around the 8th, it says temperatures in Hokkaido could be much lower than normal, and snowfall on the Sea of Japan side could be much heavier than normal. ^[3]

Cold air continues into early next week

The cold air will not be limited to the weekend; it will keep flowing in on and off into the first half of next week. Weathernews expects the center of a strong cold air mass, with temperatures of -36°C or lower at around 5,500 m, to pass near Hokkaido around Tuesday, November 10. tenki.jp also says the season's strongest cold air will move south on November 9 and 10, widening the snow area across northern Japan. Sapporo's daytime highs are forecast to stay at 5°C or below from Saturday, November 7 to Tuesday, November 10. Reduced visibility in blowing snow and increasing snow cover also call for caution. ^[1][2][4]

Check the snow on the live cams

Snow in the mountains does not mean a ski area can open right away. Opening information for each resort, based on official announcements and updated every morning, is on the opening information page. For how the snow is falling, live cams are the quickest way to check.

• Niseko Grand Hirafu (view toward Mt. Yotei)
• Sapporo Teine
• Kiroro
• Rusutsu

If you plan to drive around Hokkaido, check road conditions on the mountain pass and road live cams before you set out.

Sources

1. Nov 7 "Rittō": strong cold air moves south, snow possible even on lowlands in Hokkaido and Tohoku (tenki.jp, Nov 4, 2026)
2. Cold wave arrives from the weekend: strong winter pattern brings risk of blizzards and heavy snow in Hokkaido (Weathernews, Nov 5, 2026)
3. "General Winter" arrives on Rittō: risk of heavy snow and blizzards in Hokkaido (HBC News Hokkaido, Nov 4, 2026)
4. Weekly forecast: risk of rough weather in northern Japan at the weekend, temperatures plunge with strong cold air (Weathernews, Nov 5, 2026)

Prepared with AI assistance from public sources. Always check each resort's official website for the latest information.