Why does Mount Fuji often have a cloud cap?

Question

I've been to Japan once, and when I was there, and also in many pictures, it looks like Mt. Fuji has a "cap" of clouds resting on its peak (here is an example: http://www.shizuoka-guide.com/english/mt_fuji/season/detail.asp?id=33). Does anyone know what causes this type of formation?

Answer 1

Wind gets lifted by terrain, like mountains and hills. This is called orthographic lifting, which simply mean lifted by rocks. [See source.]

As warm, moisture carrying wind moves over the flat lands, it often encounters foothills and, eventually, mountain ranges. That wind has to go somewhere; so it rises along the sides of the hills and mountains. As it rises, it starts to cool; higher altitudes are typically colder than lower altitudes.

As air cools, its ability to hold moisture diminishes and the moisture starts to clump together. Eventually, that moisture becomes so large it can be seen as clouds...like that "cap" over Fuji. If the winds go ever higher and get colder, those clouds will form rain clouds and there will be rain/or snow. This is why areas on the leeward side of mountain ranges are often desert areas...the moisture (rain) has been drained out of the air by the time it reaches those leeward areas.

Answer 2

because it 's tall