Japan’s Mount Fuji received its first snow cover of the season on Friday (30 October), 28 days later than the average date. It was also the first time the Japan Meteorological Agency had confirmed the mountain’s first snow using radar and satellite data rather than visual observation.
Kyodo News reported that the agency said Mount Fuji’s first snow this year came seven days later than last year. However, the new observation method introduced this year makes direct comparisons with previous years difficult.
Previously, staff at the Kofu Local Meteorological Office in Yamanashi prefecture relied mainly on visual observations to confirm snow cover on Mount Fuji’s summit. From this year, the agency has switched to data from radar and sources including the Himawari weather satellites to improve observation accuracy and reduce staff workload.
According to agency data, the temperature at Mount Fuji’s 3,776-metre summit fell to minus 6.3 degrees Celsius at 8am on Friday, while radar data showed snow cover of at least one centimetre.
Meanwhile, Fujiyoshida city in Yamanashi prefecture, at the foot of Mount Fuji, also announced the mountain’s first snow of the season that day, based on visual observations by its staff.
Fujiyoshida city said it hoped people would be able to enjoy Mount Fuji’s beautiful snowy scenery as snow cover gradually increased.
Since 2006, Fujiyoshida city has issued its own announcements of Mount Fuji’s first snow to cover occasions when rain or fog might prevent visual observations from the Kofu Local Meteorological Office, which is about 40 kilometres from the mountain.
