Mount Fuji Experiences Unprecedented Delay in Snowfall

Mount Fuji continues to lack snow, marking the latest point in the year the mountain has been observed without a snow cover since record-keeping commenced 130 years ago. Usually, the summits of Japan’s tallest mountain receive some snow by the beginning of October; however, exceptionally warm conditions have resulted in no reported snowfall to date this year. Last year, in 2023, the first snow appeared on the peak on 5 October, as reported by AFP news agency. Japan experienced its joint warmest summer on record this year, with temperatures from June to August exceeding the average by 1.76C (3.1F). Throughout September, temperatures remained higher than anticipated because the sub-tropical jet stream’s more northern alignment facilitated a warmer air current from the south across Japan. A jet stream is defined as a rapidly moving air current that circulates the globe, forming where warmer air from the south converges with cooler air from the north. Last month, almost 1,500 regions experienced what Japan’s Meteorological Society categorized as “extremely hot” days – periods when temperatures reached or surpassed 35C (95F). For precipitation to transition from rain to snow, temperatures must be approximately at freezing point. While October brought a slight reduction in heat, the month has nevertheless been warmer than average. Nevertheless, entering November without any snowfall signifies the longest annual delay for a snow cover on the summit since records began in 1894. The prior record, 26 October, occurred on two previous occasions, in 1955 and 2016, according to Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster at Kofu Local Meteorological Office, who spoke to AFP. Although an isolated incident cannot be directly ascribed to climate change, the observed absence of snowfall on Mount Fuji aligns with projections made by climate experts regarding a warming global environment. Mount Fuji, situated south-west of Tokyo, stands as Japan’s tallest mountain, reaching an elevation of 3,776m (12,460 ft). This volcano, whose last eruption occurred slightly over 300 years ago, can be seen from the Japanese capital on days with clear visibility. It holds a significant place in historical Japanese art, including woodblock prints. In the previous year, over 220,000 individuals ascended to the summit between July and September. Additional reporting was provided by Tomasz Schafernaker. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.