This forecast is more than 12 hours old. A newer one should have replaced it by now, so check another source before you travel.
Ski resort in Nagano, Japan
Shiga Kogen
Japan's largest ski resort, made up of 18 ski areas on a high plateau in Nagano that is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Forecast updated , when it was 19:00 in Shiga Kogen (GMT+9).
Shiga Kogen snow forecast at 2,307 m (top lift)
Next 24 hours on the upper mountain
No snow in the next 24 hours.
Snow arrives on Thursday, with 2–15 cm over the next 7 days.
High confidence, all three forecast models agree
No snow is forecast for Shiga Kogen at the top lift (2,307 m / 7,600 ft) in the next 24 hours, but 2–15 cm (0–5 in) is forecast over the next 7 days, starting on Thursday. All three weather models we compare forecast snow this week. Expect temperatures from −2 to 4 °C (28 to 39 °F) and the freezing level near 3,300 m (10,800 ft) over the next day.
- Temperature now
- −2 °C (28 °F)
- Freezing level
- 3,300 m (10,800 ft)
- Wind
- 5 km/h (3 mph), gusts 11 km/h (7 mph)
- Sky now
- Partly cloudy, 70% cloud
Shiga Kogen hour by hour, on the upper mountain
Hourly snowfallNo rain or snow on the upper mountain in Shiga Kogen in the next 24 hours.
Shiga Kogen 7-day snow forecast, on the upper mountain
Best day to ski in Shiga Kogen this week: Saturday. No fresh snow, cloudy, light wind. How we grade a ski day.
| Day | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Tonight | Dry−2 to −1 °C (28 to 30 °F) · freezing level 3,200 m (10,500 ft) | No snow |
| Sat | CloudyBest day−2 to 4 °C (28 to 39 °F) · freezing level 3,200 m (10,500 ft) | No snow |
| Sun | RainPoor ski day−1 to 3 °C (30 to 37 °F) · freezing level 3,100 m (10,200 ft) | No snow |
| Mon | RainPoor ski day−5 to 1 °C (23 to 34 °F) · gusts 55 km/h (34 mph) · freezing level 2,400 m (7,900 ft) | No snow |
| Tue | CloudyPoor ski day−6 to 0 °C (21 to 32 °F) · gusts 45 km/h (28 mph) · freezing level 2,700 m (8,900 ft) | No snow |
| Wed | RainPoor ski day−2 to 4 °C (28 to 39 °F) · gusts 59 km/h (37 mph) · freezing level 2,850 m (9,400 ft) | No snow |
| Thu | Light snowPoor ski day−7 to −2 °C (19 to 28 °F) · gusts 85 km/h (53 mph) · freezing level 1,450 m (4,800 ft) | 0–6 cm (0–3 in) |
Sky is graded over the ski day, 9am to 4pm. Bluebird means at least two of the three models show clear skies all day, none shows overcast, and no snow or rain is forecast. Models are weaker on cloud than on snow, and none of them can see valley fog, so treat it as a good sign rather than a promise.
Shiga Kogen 14-day snow outlook, on the upper mountain
Days 8 to 14. Only two of our three models run this far ahead, and forecasts at this range often change, so read this as a guide to the pattern rather than a plan.
| Day | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 20 Nov | Snow−9 to −5 °C (16 to 23 °F) · 2 of 2 models show snow | 2–9 cm (0–4 in) |
| Sat 21 Nov | Snow−10 to −5 °C (14 to 23 °F) · 2 of 2 models show snow | 1–9 cm (0–4 in) |
| Sun 22 Nov | Some sun−11 to −5 °C (12 to 23 °F) | No snow |
| Mon 23 Nov | Chance of snow−11 to −3 °C (12 to 27 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow | 0–4 cm (0–2 in) |
| Tue 24 Nov | Chance of snow−9 to −3 °C (16 to 27 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow | 0–5 cm (0–2 in) |
| Wed 25 Nov | Chance of snow−12 to −4 °C (10 to 25 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow | 0–8 cm (0–3 in) |
| Thu 26 Nov | Some sun−11 to −3 °C (12 to 27 °F) | No snow |
How much snow is there in Shiga Kogen on the upper mountain?
No snow on the ground
This is an estimate from weather models, not a measurement, so it can differ from the depth a resort reports on its pistes. Check the official snow report before you travel.
Shiga Kogen snow forecast at 1,325 m (village)
Next 24 hours in the village
No snow in the next 24 hours.
Snow arrives on Thursday, with 2–5 cm over the next 7 days.
High confidence, all three forecast models agree
No snow is forecast for Shiga Kogen in the village (1,325 m / 4,300 ft) in the next 24 hours, but 2–5 cm (0–2 in) is forecast over the next 7 days, starting on Thursday. All three weather models we compare forecast snow this week. Expect temperatures from 4 to 11 °C (39 to 52 °F) and the freezing level near 3,300 m (10,800 ft) over the next day.
- Temperature now
- 5 °C (41 °F)
- Freezing level
- 3,300 m (10,800 ft)
- Wind
- 5 km/h (3 mph), gusts 11 km/h (7 mph)
- Sky now
- Partly cloudy, 70% cloud
Shiga Kogen hour by hour, in the village
Hourly snowfallNo rain or snow in the village in Shiga Kogen in the next 24 hours.
Shiga Kogen 7-day snow forecast, in the village
| Day | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Tonight | Dry5 °C (41 °F) · freezing level 3,200 m (10,500 ft) | No snow |
| Sat | Cloudy5 to 11 °C (41 to 52 °F) · freezing level 3,200 m (10,500 ft) | No snow |
| Sun | Rain6 to 9 °C (43 to 48 °F) · freezing level 3,100 m (10,200 ft) | No snow |
| Mon | Rain1 to 8 °C (34 to 46 °F) · gusts 55 km/h (34 mph) · freezing level 2,400 m (7,900 ft) | No snow |
| Tue | Cloudy1 to 7 °C (34 to 45 °F) · gusts 45 km/h (28 mph) · freezing level 2,700 m (8,900 ft) | No snow |
| Wed | Rain4 to 10 °C (39 to 50 °F) · gusts 59 km/h (37 mph) · freezing level 2,850 m (9,400 ft) | No snow |
| Thu | Light snow−1 to 5 °C (30 to 41 °F) · gusts 85 km/h (53 mph) · freezing level 1,450 m (4,800 ft) | 0–4 cm (0–2 in) |
Sky is graded over the ski day, 9am to 4pm. Bluebird means at least two of the three models show clear skies all day, none shows overcast, and no snow or rain is forecast. Models are weaker on cloud than on snow, and none of them can see valley fog, so treat it as a good sign rather than a promise.
Shiga Kogen 14-day snow outlook, in the village
Days 8 to 14. Only two of our three models run this far ahead, and forecasts at this range often change, so read this as a guide to the pattern rather than a plan.
| Day | Weather | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 20 Nov | Snow−2 to 1 °C (28 to 34 °F) · 2 of 2 models show snow | 2–4 cm (0–2 in) |
| Sat 21 Nov | Snow−3 to 2 °C (27 to 36 °F) · 2 of 2 models show snow | 1–9 cm (0–4 in) |
| Sun 22 Nov | Some sun−5 to 1 °C (23 to 34 °F) | No snow |
| Mon 23 Nov | Chance of snow−5 to 3 °C (23 to 37 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow | 0–3 cm (0–2 in) |
| Tue 24 Nov | Chance of snow−3 to 4 °C (27 to 39 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow | 0–5 cm (0–2 in) |
| Wed 25 Nov | Chance of snow−6 to 2 °C (21 to 36 °F) · 1 of 2 models show snow | 0–8 cm (0–3 in) |
| Thu 26 Nov | Some sun−5 to 3 °C (23 to 37 °F) | No snow |
How much snow is there in Shiga Kogen in the village?
No snow on the ground
This is an estimate from weather models, not a measurement, so it can differ from the depth a resort reports on its pistes. Check the official snow report before you travel.
Where is Shiga Kogen?
- Prefecture
- Nagano
- Country
- Japan
- Village
- 1,325 m
- Top lift
- 2,307 m
- Vertical
- 982 m
- Lifts
- 48
- Season
- Mid-November to Late May
- Pass
- Ikon Pass
- Website
- shigakogen-ski.or.jp
About Shiga Kogen
Shiga Kogen Mountain Resort groups 18 ski areas, with 48 lifts between them, and runs from 1,325 m up to 2,307 m. It describes itself as the largest ski resort in Japan.
The resort is inside Jōshin’etsu-kōgen National Park, and part of the area is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It hosted events at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
When does it snow in Shiga Kogen?
In Shiga Kogen, snow falls on about 20 days in January in a typical year, the snowiest month. Snow is regular from November to April.
| January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 days | 16 days | 12 days | 6 days | 1 days | 0 days | 0 days | 0 days | 0 days | 1 days | 7 days | 16 days |
Average days each month with at least 1 cm of snowfall at mid-mountain, 2016–2025. Calculated from ERA5 reanalysis data.
Snow in Shiga Kogen month by month
Averages for 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain, from ERA5 reanalysis data.
| Month | Snow days | Share of the year's snow | Low to high |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20 | 25% | −13 to −6 °C (9 to 21 °F) |
| February | 16 | 20% | −12 to −5 °C (10 to 23 °F) |
| March | 12 | 17% | −8 to 0 °C (18 to 32 °F) |
| April | 6 | 7% | −3 to 6 °C (27 to 43 °F) |
| May | 1 | 1% | 3 to 12 °C (37 to 54 °F) |
| June | 0 | 0% | 8 to 16 °C (46 to 61 °F) |
| July | 0 | 0% | 13 to 20 °C (55 to 68 °F) |
| August | 0 | 0% | 14 to 21 °C (57 to 70 °F) |
| September | 0 | 0% | 10 to 17 °C (50 to 63 °F) |
| October | 1 | 1% | 3 to 10 °C (37 to 50 °F) |
| November | 7 | 7% | −4 to 4 °C (25 to 39 °F) |
| December | 16 | 21% | −10 to −3 °C (14 to 27 °F) |
Snow in Shiga Kogen in November
In November, Shiga Kogen gets snow on about 7 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 7% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −4 to 4 °C (25 to 39 °F).
Snow in Shiga Kogen in December
In December, Shiga Kogen gets snow on about 16 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 21% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −10 to −3 °C (14 to 27 °F).
Snow in Shiga Kogen in January
In January, Shiga Kogen gets snow on about 20 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 25% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −13 to −6 °C (9 to 21 °F).
Snow in Shiga Kogen in February
In February, Shiga Kogen gets snow on about 16 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 20% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −12 to −5 °C (10 to 23 °F).
Snow in Shiga Kogen in March
In March, Shiga Kogen gets snow on about 12 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 17% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −8 to 0 °C (18 to 32 °F).
Snow in Shiga Kogen in April
In April, Shiga Kogen gets snow on about 6 days at mid-mountain, and the month brings about 7% of the year's snowfall. Daily temperatures usually run from −3 to 6 °C (27 to 43 °F).
Which winters were snowiest in Shiga Kogen?
Of the last ten winters in Shiga Kogen, 2016/17 was the snowiest, about 16% above the ten-year average at mid-mountain. The leanest was 2025/26, about 18% below average. The biggest single day of snowfall in the record was 12 March 2024.
| Winter | Compared with average | |
|---|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 116% of average | |
| 2017/18 | 105% of average | |
| 2018/19 | 102% of average | |
| 2019/20 | 101% of average | |
| 2020/21 | 86% of average | |
| 2021/22 | 112% of average | |
| 2022/23 | 83% of average | |
| 2023/24 | 105% of average | |
| 2024/25 | 108% of average | |
| 2025/26 | 82% of average |
Winters are compared with each other rather than given in centimetres. The ERA5 record is reliable on which winters were big and which were lean, but it underestimates absolute snowfall in the mountains, so the resort's own measured totals are the ones to trust for amounts.
Questions about snow in Shiga Kogen
Does Shiga Kogen have snow at Christmas?
Shiga Kogen had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on Christmas Day in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during 20 to 26 December in every one of those years.
Does Shiga Kogen have snow at New Year?
Shiga Kogen had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on New Year's Day in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during 27 December to 2 January in every one of those years.
Does Shiga Kogen have snow in mid-February?
Shiga Kogen had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on 15 February in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during 10 to 20 February in every one of those years.
Does Shiga Kogen have snow at Easter?
Shiga Kogen had at least 2.5 cm (1 in) of snow on the ground on Easter Sunday in every one of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 at mid-mountain. Fresh snow fell during Good Friday to Easter Monday in 4 of those years.
How many days a year does it snow in Shiga Kogen?
It snows on about 80 days a year in Shiga Kogen at mid-mountain, counting days with at least 1 cm of snowfall, averaged over 2016 to 2025. January has the most, about 20 days.
What is the snowiest month in Shiga Kogen?
January is the snowiest month in Shiga Kogen, bringing about 25% of the year's snowfall at mid-mountain, based on ERA5 reanalysis data for 2016 to 2025.
Which recent winter was the snowiest in Shiga Kogen?
Of the last ten winters in Shiga Kogen, 2016/17 was the snowiest, about 16% above the ten-year average. The leanest was 2025/26, about 18% below average.
How cold does Shiga Kogen get in winter?
January is the coldest month in Shiga Kogen at mid-mountain, with average daily lows of −13 °C (9 °F) and highs of −6 °C (21 °F).
How high is Shiga Kogen?
The village or lowest lift at Shiga Kogen is at 1,325 m (4,300 ft) and the top lift is at 2,307 m (7,600 ft), a vertical drop of 982 m (3,200 ft).
When does the ski season start in Shiga Kogen?
The lifts at Shiga Kogen usually open in mid-November and close in late May. Exact dates change each year with the snow, so check the resort's own website before you book.
Snow forecasts near Shiga Kogen
Sources: Shigakogen Mountain Resort, Wikipedia