Japan’s Mount Fuji remains snow-free this late in the year than ever before

Mount Fuji is still free of snow, making it the latest time of year the mountain has remained bare since records began 130 years ago.

The peaks of Japan’s highest mountain usually receive a shower of snow in early October, but unusually warm weather means no snow has been reported so far this year.

In 2023, snow first appeared at the summit on October 5, according to the AFP news agency.

Japan had its hottest summer on record this year with temperatures between June and August 1.76C (35.1F) above average.

In September, temperatures continued to be warmer than expected as the northern jet stream allowed warm southerly air to flow over Japan.

A the jet stream a fast-flowing stream of air that circles the planet. It occurs when warm air from the south meets cool air from the north.

About 1,500 places had what the Meteorological Society of Japan classified as “hottest” days – when temperatures reached or exceeded 35C (95F) last month.

The temperature must be freezing for rain to turn to snow.

October saw a slight drop in temperatures, but it was still a warmer than normal month.

However, November’s approach without snow marks the longest wait for a snow year at the summit since data was first collected in 1894.

The previous record of October 26 was seen twice before in 1955 and 2016, Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster at the Kofu Meteorological Office told AFP.

Mount Fuji, southwest of Tokyo, is the highest mountain in Japan at 3,776 meters (12,460 ft).

The volcano, which last erupted more than 300 years ago, is visible from the Japanese capital on a clear day.

It features prominently in historical Japanese artwork, including woodblock prints.

Last year, more than 220,000 people climbed the peak between July and September.