Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, has yet to receive its first snow of the year, marking the latest date on record for the mountain to remain bare since data collection began 130 years ago. Typically, the summit gets its first dusting by early October, but this year’s unusually warm weather has prevented any snowfall.
In 2023, snow first appeared on Mount Fuji on October 5. This year, Japan experienced its hottest summer on record, with temperatures from June to August averaging 1.76°C (35.1°F) above normal. The warm conditions persisted into September due to a more northerly position of the sub-tropical jet stream, which allowed warmer air to flow over Japan.
The jet stream, a fast-moving air current, forms when warm southern air meets cooler northern air. Last month, nearly 1,500 regions in Japan recorded “extremely hot” days, with temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F). The temperature must drop to around freezing for rain to turn into snow.
While October has seen a slight decrease in temperatures, it remains warmer than average. Approaching November without snow on Mount Fuji breaks the previous record, which was set on October 26 in 1955 and 2016. Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster at the Kofu Local Meteorological Office, noted this significant shift in weather patterns.
Mount Fuji, located southwest of Tokyo, stands at 3,776 meters (12,460 feet). It last erupted over 300 years ago and is visible from the Japanese capital on clear days. The mountain holds a prominent place in Japanese culture, appearing in historic artworks and woodblock prints. Last year, over 220,000 climbers ascended to its peak between July and September.
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