Overview

• Rinyu Kanko reported sleet near Kurodake’s summit around 3 a.m. and a thin accumulation by about 5 a.m. on Sept. 21.
• The Kurodake stone hut manager documented the dusting with photos that were provided to media outlets.
• Hokkaido Shimbun also reported a light cover on Asahidake’s upper slopes during the same early‑morning period.
• The timing was one day later than last year and was described as roughly in line with the long‑term average for Kurodake.
• The Sapporo District Meteorological Observatory said no designated Hokkaido observation sites have recorded first snow so far, underscoring the localized nature of the event.