Snow has finally appeared on the summit of Japan’s Mount Fuji, marking the end of the longest wait in 130 years. According to the Associated Press, the first snowfall appeared on the southwestern side of the mountain on the morning of Wednesday, November 6.
Japan Meteorological Agency states that snow usually arrives to the summit of the ~12,300 foot mountain by October 2. Last year, the snow fall on the mountain by October 5. This year the snow came more than a month after it normally appears.
Temperatures across all of Japan were warmer than usual earlier this year. At the summit of Mt. Fuji, the average October temperature is 28.4°F (-2°C). This year, the average October temperature at the summit was 39.4°F (1.6°C), the highest average on record since 1932.
Clouds blocked the summit of Mount Fuji through much of Wednesday morning, delaying the official announcement by the JMA’s Kofu Local Meteorological Office and preventing those nearby from spotting the snow.