Mount Fuji breaks record for absence of snow

At 3,776 meters high, Mount Fuji stands on the island of Honshu, between the prefectures of Shizuoka and Yamanashi. In addition to being the highest mountain in the country, it is a representative symbol of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Due to its majestic snowy silhouette, which inspired countless works of art and is considered one of the most beautiful postcards in the nation, this mountain attracts thousands of tourists every year who seek to appreciate it.

An exceptionally warm climate

Traditionally, the first snowfall of the year on Mount Fuji occurs in the first half of October. However, this year, due to high temperatures, snow has not appeared.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, this 2024, the country experienced its warmest summer on record, with temperatures that exceeded the normal average between June and August by 1.76°C.

This persistent heat has had a notable impact on the climate in the following seasons, preventing the arrival of sufficient cold air for snow formation in the Mount Fuji region.

Yutaka Katsuta, a meteorologist at the Kofu Meteorological Office, a city near Mount Fuji, explained that the high temperatures have acted as a barrier that blocks the entry of cold air. “The temperatures have been exceptionally high, and that makes it difficult for snow to reach the peaks,” he commented.

Although global warming cannot be considered the only cause of this event, the expert suggests that it is likely that it did have an influence on the delay in snow.

The consequences of this phenomenon

Japan had already experienced delays in the arrival of snow to Mount Fuji in other atypical years, such as 1955 and 2016, when the first snowfalls arrived on October 26. However, this year’s record has surpassed any known record and has alarmed residents and tourists.

Hugo Koide, a French visitor who frequents the region, expressed surprise at seeing the mountain without its characteristic white cape. “It is shocking to see that there is no snow at this time of year. In my childhood memories, Mount Fuji was always covered in snow in autumn,” he said from Lake Kawaguchi, one of the mountain’s main observation points.

Even though the snow hasn’t arrived yet, forecasts suggest change could be near. According to the weather platform tenki.jp, operated by the Japan Meteorological Association, an influx of cold air on November 6 is expected to turn rain into snow at the summit of Mt. Another forecasting site, Weather News, indicated that the snow will likely be delayed until November 7.

While the return of snow would alleviate the concerns of many, this phenomenon draws attention to a larger problem that affects not only Japan, but the entire world. In the north of the country, for example, the famous city of Sapporo has had to consider adjustments to its traditional Snow Festival, as the amount of snow has also decreased considerably in recent years.