The start of the "light snow" solar term

Genkidesu wrote about Niigata Prefecture getting their first light snow of the year earlier in the week. It is in line with the solar terms in Japan. There are 24 solar terms  used in Japan, and other asian countries, to indicate subtle changes within each season. Today, November 22nd, marks the start of the 20th of the 24 solar terms in the traditional calendar.

The 20th solar term is known as "light snow" or "lesser snow". It is called "shosetsu", 小雪, in Japanese. It signifies the beginning of colder weather and the potential for light snowfall. This solar term indicates a transition into winter, with dropping temperatures and drier air, but the amount of snow is still relatively mild and not yet heavy. The "light snow" solar term lasts until December 6th.

Light snow will start to fall, if it hasn't already, in many parts of Japan. However, around Tokyo and in my own prefecture of Saitama, we don't get much snow at all. If it is to snow, it will most likely be late in January or early February. In recent years, we once got snow while the cherry blossoms were in bloom in March! Have you seen any snow in your part of Japan yet? And if so, where is that?