Tokyo: Japan’s Mount Fuji has remained snowless, marking the latest date for its bare slopes since record-keeping began 130 years ago, according to the country’s weather agency.
Typically, the volcano’s snowcap begins to form around October 2, with snow first detected last year on October 5.
However, this year, no snowfall has been observed on Japan’s highest mountain due to warm weather, as noted by Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster at the Kofu Local Meteorological Office.
This marks the latest date recorded since comparative data became available in 1894, surpassing the previous record of October 26, which was set in 1955 and 2016.
Katsuta explained that high temperatures persisted throughout the summer and into September, preventing the cold air necessary for snow. Katsuta also mentioned that climate change may have contributed to the delay in snowcap formation.
This summer was one of the hottest on record in Japan, matching the extreme heat levels of 2023, which affected many regions globally.
While Mount Fuji is usually covered in snow for most of the year, over 220,000 visitors hike its steep slopes during the July-September season, with many climbing overnight to witness the sunrise from its 3,776-meter summit.
However, the number of climbers has decreased this year following the introduction of an entry fee and a daily visitor cap aimed at managing over tourism.
The iconic mountain has been featured in numerous artworks, including Hokusai’s “Great Wave,” and last erupted around 300 years ago.
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