Japan’s autumn colors forecast to arrive later amid warmer weather
Tokyo’s gingko trees are expected to change color on Nov. 29, with maples following the next day, according to a private weather forecaster.
Warmer conditions are expected to delay autumn colors by several days across much of Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Corp. (JMC). The private forecaster said temperatures exceeded normal levels in October and are expected to remain above average in November and December.
The seasonal change is already under way across large parts of Hokkaido, including Sapporo, for both maple and gingko trees. In most of Tohoku, JMC expects gingko foliage to yellow around mid-November, followed by red maple foliage later in November.
The forecast puts Tokyo’s gingko color change at Nov. 29 and its maple change the following day, both several days later than normal. Farther south, gingko trees are likely to turn yellow during November, while maples in most areas, including Kyoto, Nagoya and Osaka, are expected to change in December.
JMC’s projections cover around 3,000 mountains and 700 viewing locations. Its forecast dates mark when most leaves on a tree are expected to have become red for Japanese maples or yellow for gingko trees.
Separately, Japan Meteorological Agency observations show later-than-normal maple color changes at the few Hokkaido locations where the season has begun. Observed gingko changes have generally matched normal timing, apart from Kanazawa, where the season began two weeks early.
