初冠雪(Hatsu Kan setsu) the first snow on mt.Fuji


fujisan_hatsukansetsu

On 10/16, the first show on Mt.Fuji was observed this year 2014.
It was 3 days earlier from last year, and 16 days later from the average.

This event tells that change of the season in Japan (the end of summer).
People compare the length of fall/winter period from the last year and the average years referring this date and prepare for the winter season. This year, comparing to the average, the fall and winter might be shorter. This is definitely caused by the global warming. The date of the first snow on Mt.Fuji is getting late slowly every year. According to Fujiyoshida city Yamanashi’s annual report of the first snow on Mt.Fuji, it is usually around late September to early October.
Fujiyoshida city (富士吉田市) in Yamanashi prefecture (the closest city to Mt.Fuji) declares “the first snow make up of Fuji” every year by observing by themselves (not government officially).

The definition of “The first snow on Mt.Fuji” by Fujiyoshida city is

According to the meteorological observatory, the first snow on mt fuji is declared after the highest temperature on top of Mt.Fuji is decided, and all or part of the mountain is covered by the frozen precipitation and able to be observed from the foot of the mt fuji.

 

YearDate of the first snow on mt fuji
19939/21
19949/20
199510/9
19969/26
19979/27
199810/10
199910/19
20009/27
20019/22
20029/27
200310/6
200410/22
200510/11
200610/08
200710/6
200810/1
200910/10
20019/22
20109/25
20119/24
20129/12
201310/19
201410/16

In Japan, winter is coming shortly and it is the time to a seasonal change of clothing. You are from a land of everlasting summer or sunny warm southern California, you need to prepare for the intense cold winter in Japan.