"We're Gonna Be Dead By Next Year": Mount Fuji Experienced Its First Snowless October, And People's Reactions Are Pretty Much What You'd Expect

Mount Fuji has had its first snowless October in 130 years.

As one of the world's most famous active volcanoes and a cultural symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji has historically seen an average snowcapped peak starting Oct. 2 — with last year beginning on Oct. 5. However, due to the above-normal temperatures recorded by Japanese cities this fall, Fuji's 12,000-foot peak has yet to be touched by snowfall.

According to Climate Central, at least 74 Japanese cities cited temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within the first week of October, which is unusually high compared to the 1990–2020 average. As climate analysts stated, human-made climate change made this uncommon weather pattern three times more likely.

X: @NatStClair / Stringer/Kyodo News/Getty Images / Via x.com When X user (formerly Twitter) @NatStClair posted the news about Mount Fuji's lack of snow this October, it garnered over 82 million views and 84,000 likes, sparking lots of discourse along the way. — Nathaniel St. Clair (@NatStClair) October 30, 2024
Mount Fuji experienced its first snowless October in 130 years. pic.twitter.com/hycej5L82R

X: @yoongienthusias / Stringer/Kyodo News/Getty Images / Via Twitter: @yoongienthusias As expected, X users reacted in many ways, many centering on the effects and consequences of climate change and alluding to humanity's impending doom. One person told everyone to "start looking for the love of your life who you are gonna die in the arms of in the next five years when then world ends." — s (@yoongienthusias) October 31, 2024
stop looking for a job and start looking for the love of your life who you are gonna die in the arms of in the next five years when then world ends https://t.co/jsdSwofuj4

X: @frankie_webp / Stringer/Kyodo News/Getty Images / Via Twitter: @frankie_webp One user put it a tad more bluntly: — big gumballs 🅿️ (@frankie_webp) October 30, 2024
we’re gonna be dead by next year https://t.co/pp6q0BNdK3

X: @ItsSamG / Stringer/Kyodo News/Getty Images / Via Twitter: @ItsSamG While this person kind of saw a silver lining: — Sam G (@ItsSamG) November 1, 2024
It sort of feels like I don’t really need to keep saving for retirement https://t.co/bpfq3XOuTm

X: @talleyberrybaby / Stringer/Kyodo News/Getty Images / HBO MAX / Via Twitter: @talleyberrybaby This X user's single reaction to the news has over 17.4 million views: — Grip Bayless✨ (@talleyberrybaby) October 31, 2024
https://t.co/a96me652Me pic.twitter.com/JDRsaZaruC

X: @esjesjesj / Stringer/Kyodo News/Getty Images / Via Twitter: @esjesjesj Meanwhile, this person brought attention to the fact that it was Mount Fuji's first snowless October in recorded history. This means there's a chance that the volcano has not seen snow during this time for the first time ever. — evan loves worf (@esjesjesj) October 31, 2024
To be clear, 130 years ago it had snow, they just weren’t keeping records. https://t.co/zf1GggSLDM

X: @sweatpantspapi / Stringer/Kyodo News/Getty Images / Via Twitter: @sweatpantspapi One user suggested we might need to stop all the AI usage: — homosexual court jester (@sweatpantspapi) November 1, 2024
close that chatgpt tab RIGHT now https://t.co/c2LEjNqU0a

X: @hotboyyuuji / Nickelodeon / Stringer/Kyodo News/Getty Images / Via Twitter: @hotboyyuuji While this one spread the news about Mount Fuji in a more...unconventional way: — active chuuter (@hotboyyuuji) October 31, 2024
MOUNT FUJI HAS LOST HER BUSH 🚨🚨‼️ I REPEAT MOUNT FUJI HAS LOST HER BUSH 🚨🚨‼️ https://t.co/GOabiMe6gy pic.twitter.com/102X3C9w3O

Fortunately, according to a local forecaster run by the Japan Weather Association, Mount Fuji may expect snow around Nov. 7, 2024.

X: @UncleNarco / Stringer/Kyodo News/Getty Images / Via Twitter: @UncleNarco Even so, Mount Fuji's snowless October is yet another sign of the ramifications of climate change, which offers a far-from-optimistic feeling. As one X user noted, with many others echoing the same feeling, "We're cooked I fear." — Trini (@UncleNarco) October 31, 2024
We’re cooked I fear https://t.co/oGQIuxhWEj

*Sigh* Don't you love witnessing the potentially irreversible damage caused by climate change and global warming in real-time? What was your reaction after hearing about Mount Fuji's snowless October? Let us know down in the comments.