[ski-free]

I'm based in "snow country" which is Northern East Honshu to Hokkaido, Japan.

We've had the strangest season. Later November seemed like we were in for a great season, we had snow on the ground, and it was great, early december mild temps and a bit more snow, then it decided to turn into spring and rain (practically unheard of), lower altitudes felt other worldly for this time of year. Nearly all the snow melted, the lower part of the resort couldn't open and resort almost had to close. It did temporarily...in freaking December? It was a terrifying blow to the local economy. I don't rely on tourism for my money but my friends do and they were freaked right out.

It was miserable.

Note that the place I'm describing would usually see +10 meters of snow fall a winter and rain was unheard of. Consistent snow fall was only to be expected. Not this year.

Lately we've been smashed by a few blizzards (thank god), we've accumulated a few meters in a week, the snow has been good but again this isn't really normal for around here. It's half way through January. What was normal until about 10 years ago was 20-40cms a night from late November, light winds and great snow conditions, averaging about -3+3c at about 500m AMSL. Today it's -5 and tomorrow it's forecast +7c during the day with some light rain for about 4 days. Do you see how that's going to impact the snow pack? Granted it' set to cool off again next week and snow again but none of this is preferable for around here.

This place relies on snow for tourism, culture, and farming.

The longer we let the climate emergency go without drastic action, the heavier the economic, social and ecological impacts will be. We'll all be affected.

Climate Change Could Cut World Economy by $23 Trillion in 2050, Insurance Giant Warns: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/22/climate/climate-change-ec...