Mount Fuji's Latest Snowfall on Record

Mount Fuji has experienced its longest snow-free period in recorded history, with snow finally appearing on November 7, 2024. This marks the latest first snowfall since record-keeping began in 1894, breaking the previous record of October 26, 2016. The delay is attributed to unusually warm temperatures, with October's summit temperatures reaching the highest recorded since 1932. Despite the cloud cover preventing an official announcement from the Japan Meteorological Agency's Kofu office, photographs from various locations confirmed the presence of snow. The late snowfall has sparked discussions on climate change, as Japan faced its hottest summer on record this year. Mount Fuji remains a significant cultural symbol and tourist destination, though concerns about climate effects and environmental degradation persist.