On the 4th, the beginning of spring (립춘) was hit by the strongest cold wave (寒波) nationwide. In Jeju and the southern regions, heavy snow is expected to fall in various places for the time being. Damage from burst water meters has been reported, and access to Hallasan Mountain and mountain roads has been restricted.
The country has experienced a significant drop in temperatures as a continental high-pressure system expands from northern China, bringing cold air from the northwest. Cold air passes over relatively warm seas, creating snow clouds due to the temperature difference (the difference between sea surface and air temperature), leading to snow in various areas starting today.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the lowest temperatures this morning fell between minus 18 degrees to minus 4 degrees. Seoul recorded a low of minus 12 degrees. In Seoul alone, 11 reports of burst water meters were received from 9 p.m. the previous night to 4 a.m. today. Daejeon (minus 9 degrees), Daegu (minus 8 degrees), and Gwangju (minus 6 degrees) are also expected to be cold.
The cold wave is not expected to retreat easily. The low temperatures are forecasted at minus 17 degrees to minus 3 degrees on the 5th, minus 17 degrees to minus 4 degrees on the 6th, and minus 14 degrees to 0 degrees on the 7th. The Korea Meteorological Administration noted, 'Even during the day, temperatures will remain in the negative range, and with wind chill, the perceived temperature will be even lower.'
Snow is expected to begin falling nationwide from the afternoon. Over the next three days (4th to 6th), Ulleungdo and Dokdo are expected to receive up to 50 cm of snow, mountainous areas in Jeju up to 40 cm, and coastal areas in Jeju 5 to 10 cm. Currently, seven trails in Hallasan National Park in Jeju are closed, and traffic on mountain roads (1100·516 roads) is prohibited.
Additionally, snowfall is expected to be around 5 to 20 cm (up to 30 cm in some areas) in the southern inland and northwestern regions of North Jeolla, 5 to 15 cm in Gwangju and the southwestern areas of South Jeolla, 3 to 10 cm in eastern South Jeolla, 5 to 10 cm (up to 15 cm in some areas) along the seaside of South Chungcheong, 3 to 8 cm in inland Daejeon, Sejong, and South Chungcheong, and 1 to 5 cm in central and southern parts of North Chungcheong and southwestern Gyeongsangnam.