Japan’s famous Mount Fuji is still waiting for snow this year! This is very unusual, as it hasn’t happened in over 130 years. Usually, snow covers the mountain by now. Scientists think this is because of climate change, which is making the Earth warmer. This is a big problem, as it can affect plants, animals, and people.
Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji remains without snow, marking a historical record. This is the latest in the year that the mountain has been snow-free since records began 130 years ago, according to Japan’s weather agency.
Mount Fuji’s snowcap typically starts to form around October 2. Last year, snow first appeared on October 5. However, due to Japan’s warm weather, no snow has covered the peak this year. It breaks the previous record set in 1955 and 2016, when snow appeared by October 26. “Temperatures were unusually high this summer, which continued into the fall, delaying the cold air needed for snow,” said Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster from the Kofu Local Meteorological Office.
Japan experienced its hottest summer on record this year, tied with 2023, with temperatures averaging 1.76°C higher than normal. Warm conditions persisted into October, with over 70 cities recording temperatures of 30°C or more in early October. Scientists attribute this rise to climate change, with the unusual October warmth likely made three times more probable due to human-induced climate factors.
The delay in snow on Mount Fuji is not just an isolated event. It is part of a broader trend of warming winters affecting many regions globally. Climate experts warn that reduced snow cover could have significant consequences. That includes massive impacts on local tourism, water supplies, and even allergy patterns. This change is also likely to affect the annual climbing season, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to Mount Fuji each year.
To address the growing number of visitors and reduce the environmental impact, Japanese authorities recently introduced a climbing fee and limited daily climbers to help manage the crowds and preserve the natural beauty of Mount Fuji.
As one of Japan’s most revered landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Fuji’s prolonged snowless state highlights the urgency of addressing climate change. Experts warn that the world must aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C to prevent worsening environmental impacts. Mount Fuji’s current condition serves as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.
