Heavy snowfall up to 30 cm forecasted for New Year's holiday in Korea

A major influx of returnees is expected to start on the 27th, with heavy snowfall of up to 30 cm forecasted primarily in the central region. Given the anticipated traffic congestion, special attention to safety is required.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted on the 26th that the snowfall in the central region, particularly during the Lunar New Year holidays on the 27th and 28th, could exceed 30 cm. According to a survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, traffic volume leaving the metropolitan area during this period is expected to peak, leading to severe traffic congestion, the Korea Meteorological Administration projected.

The Korea Meteorological Administration explained that a low-pressure system will gradually move eastward and pass through the country from early morning to afternoon on the 27th, but a snow cloud band will soon move in from the West Sea.

As a result, snowfall of 10 to 20 cm is forecasted until the 28th in the metropolitan area, including Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and the five islands of the West Sea. Southern and northeastern Gyeonggi are expected to see more than 25 cm of snow. Eastern North Jeolla Province is also expected to record very high snowfall of more than 30 cm.

The expected snowfall amounts are ▲Gangwon inland and mountainous areas 10 to 20 cm (with some places over 30 cm), Gangwon coastal area 1 to 5 cm ▲Chungcheong area 5 to 15 cm (with some places in South Chungcheong and North Chungcheong over 20 cm) ▲Eastern North Jeolla Province 10 to 20 cm (with some places over 30 cm), Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, and Western North Jeolla Province 5 to 10 cm ▲Eastern South Jeolla Province and South coast 1 to 5 cm ▲Gyeongnam western inland, Gyeongbuk northern inland, and northeastern mountainous areas 3 to 10 cm (with some places over 15 cm) ▲Daegu, Gyeongbuk southwestern inland, Ulleungdo, and Dokdo 3 to 8 cm ▲Gyeongnam inland (excluding western inland), Gyeongbuk coastal area, and central-southern inland 1 to 5 cm ▲Jeju island mountainous areas 10 to 20 cm (with some places over 30 cm).

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the heavy snowfall warning expected to be announced for the northern part of the central region on the morning of the 27th may gradually expand to other areas of the central region and the southern inland. Additionally, due to increased atmospheric instability caused by upper-level vortices, thunderstorms and gusts are also expected in various places.