A polar cold wave is sweeping across the country, freezing everything. Starting today, snow will fall at a rate of 2 cm per hour, particularly along the coasts of Jeju, Honam, and South Chungcheong, so caution is advised to prevent accidents on icy roads.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 5th, a continental high-pressure system has expanded and cold air with temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius has flowed into the Korean Peninsula from the north. The cold air developed snow clouds due to the temperature difference between the sea surface and the atmosphere as it passed over the relatively warmer West Sea. Snow clouds will move southeastward and light snow is expected in various places.
Over two days (5th to 6th), the expected snowfall is up to 20 cm in the mountainous areas of Jeju, 10 to 20 cm in Ulleungdo and Dokdo, up to 15 cm in Honam, and 3 to 10 cm along the South Chungcheong coast. On the 7th, up to 10 cm of snow is expected to accumulate in Jeju and Honam, while 3 to 8 cm is anticipated along the South Chungcheong coast and 1 to 5 cm in Ulleungdo and Dokdo.
Although the start of spring has passed, winter still shows no signs of retreating. The forecast for the lowest temperatures in the morning of that day is between minus 17 degrees and minus 3 degrees. Cities such as Chuncheon (minus 15 degrees), Seoul (minus 12 degrees), Daejeon (minus 10 degrees), Daegu (minus 7 degrees), and Gwangju (minus 5 degrees) also experienced icy conditions during the morning commute. A representative from the Korea Meteorological Administration noted, "Temperatures will remain below zero during the day," adding, "With strong winds, the perceived temperature will be even lower."
The cold is expected to persist until mid-month. The lowest temperature forecast for the morning of the 6th is expected to drop between minus 18 degrees and minus 4 degrees. The lowest temperatures are forecasted at minus 15 degrees to minus 1 degree on the 7th, between minus 17 degrees and minus 5 degrees on the 8th, and between minus 14 degrees and 3 degrees from the 9th to the 15th.