Sapporo sees season’s first snowfall; snow comes eight days earlier than average

An observatory at the top of Sapporo’s Mt. Moiwa is covered with snow on Sunday. - The Yomiuri Shimbun

SAPPORO, (Japan): The capital of Hokkaido observed the season’s first snowfall on Sunday (Oct 20), the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Sapporo’s first snowfall came 22 days earlier than last year and eight days earlier than an average year, according to the JMA.

An observatory at the top of Moiwa, which provides panoramic view of Sapporo, was seen covered with snow on Sunday morning.

“When I came here last week, much of the mountain was still green,” said a local woman in her 30s.

“However, I enjoyed the day today, watching the red and yellow leaves among the snow.” - The Yomiuri Shimbun