Fri Nov 01 15:40:43 UTC 2024: ## Mount Fuji Breaks 130-Year Record: Snowless for Longest Time Ever
**Tokyo, Japan** – For the first time in 130 years, Mount Fuji, Japan’s iconic volcano, remains snow-free as of Monday, October 2nd. This marks the latest date on record for the mountain’s snowcap to form, surpassing the previous record set in 1955 and 2016.
According to Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster at the Kofu Local Meteorological Office, the lack of snowfall is attributed to exceptionally warm temperatures persisting throughout the summer and into September. “High temperatures deterred cold air,” which typically brings snow to the mountain, Katsuta explained.
This record-breaking snowless period has raised concerns about the impact of climate change. Japan experienced its hottest summer on record, tied with 2023, amidst a global surge in extreme heatwaves. While a direct link to climate change has not been definitively established, experts acknowledge that it likely plays a role.
Mount Fuji, known for its snow-covered slopes for most of the year, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors during the summer hiking season. This year, however, visitor numbers were lower due to the introduction of an entry fee and a daily cap to combat overtourism. The mountain’s majestic silhouette has been immortalized in countless artworks, including the renowned “Great Wave” by Hokusai. The last eruption of Mount Fuji occurred approximately 300 years ago.
First Piper 