Mount Fuji Experiences Longest Snow-Free Period in Recorded History, Likely Due to Climate Change
As Japan approaches winter, Mount Fuji, one of the country’s most iconic landmarks, remains snow-free, marking the longest period without snow in 130 years of recorded history.
On October 29, 2024, Mount Fuji, a famous tourist destination, still had no snow covering its peak. The Japan Meteorological Agency, located about 40 kilometers from the mountain, reported that it was the first time since records began 130 years ago that Mount Fuji had been completely snow-free.
Typically, snow begins to form on Mount Fuji by October 2 on average. However, last year (2023), snow started forming on October 5. This year, Japan has experienced its hottest summer on record, with average temperatures from June to August exceeding the usual by 1.76°C. In September, temperatures remained warmer than expected due to a subtropical jet stream from the north, which allowed warmer southern winds to pass over Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Association designated 1,500 areas as having “extremely hot” days, with temperatures in September reaching or exceeding 35°C. However, for snow to form, temperatures must reach freezing. While temperatures did drop somewhat in October, the weather has still remained warmer than usual.
The delay in the onset of snow this year marks the longest wait for snow on Mount Fuji since the first records were made in 1894, or 130 years ago.
Weather forecaster Yutaka Katsuta from the local Kofu Meteorological Office stated, “The warm weather this year has prevented snow from falling on Japan’s highest mountain. The previous record for the latest snowfall was October 26, in 1958 and 2016.” He also mentioned that “climate change could be affecting the timing of snow formation.”
Japan’s summer this year was the hottest on record, similar to 2023, with severe heatwaves from climate change affecting regions globally.
While it is not conclusive that this event is solely due to climate change, the absence of snow on Mount Fuji aligns with climate experts’ predictions that the Earth will continue to warm. The abnormal warmth in Japan during October is three times more likely due to the ongoing climate crisis.
Mount Fuji, the largest volcano in Japan, last erupted 300 years ago. Last year, over 220,000 people ascended the peak between July and September. However, this year, fewer climbers have ventured up Mount Fuji, as the Japanese government has imposed a climbing fee and set daily visitor limits to address the issue of overcrowding.
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