First Snow in Japan: Teine, Rishiri, Shari, Hakkoda on Oct 22

On Thursday, October 22, the first snowcaps of the season were recorded on Mt. Teine, Mt. Rishiri and Mt. Shari in Hokkaido, and on Mt. Hakkoda in Aomori Prefecture. They follow Asahidake, which saw its first snowcap on October 2. (A "first snowcap" is the first snow of the season seen on a mountain summit.) ^[1]

Four mountains with a first snowcap on October 22

• Mt. Rishiri (Hokkaido)
• Mt. Teine (Hokkaido, Sapporo)
• Mt. Shari (Hokkaido)
• Mt. Hakkoda (Aomori Prefecture) ^[1]

Below freezing near the summit of Mt. Teine

Mt. Teine, the mountain above the ski areas close to Sapporo, stands 1,023 m high. From the 21st to the 22nd, cold air typical of mid-November moved in. Temperatures near the summit are thought to have dropped below freezing, turning precipitation to snow. A faint white dusting could be seen on the mountain even from central Sapporo. The low in Sapporo on the 22nd was 4.4°C, the coldest morning of the season so far. ^[1][3]

Hakkoda confirmed on the morning of the 22nd

In Aomori Prefecture, cold air flowed in aloft after a cold front passed through. According to NHK, the first snowcap was confirmed in the Hakkoda mountains on the morning of the 22nd. ^[5]

New this season: "analyzed snow depth"

Starting this season, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) records first snowcaps using "analyzed snow depth" rather than visual checks by staff. This method estimates snow cover from data such as AMeDAS weather stations, weather radar and satellites. On the 22nd, the JMA website was briefly unavailable because of emergency maintenance. After it was restored, Mt. Teine, Mt. Shari and Mt. Hakkoda were added to the announcement. Mt. Rishiri had been announced earlier. ^[1][2][4]

Strongest cold of the season expected around the 27th

This cold spell will move out on Friday the 23rd. However, according to the Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp), the strongest cold air of the season is expected to arrive around Tuesday the 27th. It is a good idea to get your winter preparations done over the calmer weekend. ^[3]

Check the snow on the live cams

You can see the snow on Mt. Teine on the Sapporo Teine live cam. For the Hakkoda area in Aomori, see the Hakkoda page. Ski areas that have already opened this season are listed on our opening information page.

This first snow is on the mountaintops only. Snow on the slopes is still some way off, and each ski area's opening date will depend on its own official announcement.

Sources

1. 北海道の手稲山・斜里岳、青森の八甲田山で初冠雪 復旧した気象庁HPで公表（ウェザーニュース）
2. 北海道・利尻山で初冠雪 旭岳に続き今季全国2番目の便り（ウェザーニュース）
3. 22日は札幌の手稲山でうっすらと雪化粧 利尻山で初冠雪 稚内と旭川に初雪の便り（tenki.jp）
4. 初冠雪の記録等（気象庁）
5. 青森 八甲田山系で初冠雪を確認 気温下がり体調管理に注意（NHK）

Prepared with AI assistance from public sources. Always check each resort's official website for the latest information.