Mount Fuji capped with snow for first time this season

Weather officials in Japan said Mount Fuji has been capped with snow for the first time this season. Officials at the Kofu Local Meteorological Office about 40 kilometers from the summit said they visually confirmed snow coverage on Japan's highest mountain on Thursday morning.

The snowcap arrived 21 days later than average. It came 15 days earlier than last year, when its arrival was the latest since statistics began about 130 years ago. Officials said there have been rainclouds near the summit since Wednesday and the temperature has dropped below freezing point.