Commuters make their way through Gwanghwamun’s Sejong-daero intersection in Jongno District, Seoul, on Jan. 8, as a biting cold wave returns. On the day, the “Love Temperature Tower” donation gauge stood at 95.9 degrees. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – A sharp cold snap swept across South Korea on Thursday, sending temperatures in Seoul down to minus 8.2 degrees Celsius and driving wind chills far lower, as forecasters warned of heavy snowfall across much of the country in the days ahead.
The Korea Meteorological Administration said perceived temperatures plunged to minus 13.2 degrees in the capital early Thursday, while some mountainous areas of Gangwon Province experienced wind chills nearing minus 30 degrees. Officials said the extreme cold is expected to ease by Friday morning.
Attention is now shifting to snow. Heavy snowfall is forecast to begin across central regions Friday night and continue through the weekend, the agency said, with the snow belt expanding southward by Saturday morning. Rain or snow is expected to reach Jeju Island by Saturday afternoon.
Forecasters predicted accumulations of up to 10 centimeters in Gangwon’s inland and mountainous areas, with lesser but still significant snowfall expected across Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces, as well as the Jeolla region. Seoul and the nearby port city of Incheon could see up to 3 centimeters.
Snow or rain may linger into Sunday in parts of South Chungcheong Province, the Jeolla provinces and western inland areas of South Gyeongsang Province. Another round of precipitation is possible early next week in the central region and North Jeolla Province.
Weather officials urged residents to brace for icy conditions and travel disruptions as the country transitions from extreme cold to potentially hazardous winter storms.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
