Korea braces for heavy snow and cold snap as spring approaches

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted that morning temperatures will drop below zero in most parts of the country for the time being on the 17th. Cold air moving down from the north and strong winds will make it feel even colder. Heavy snowfall is expected mainly in Gangwon and North Gyeongsang provinces.

A low-pressure system formed in the western sea will bring snow. Snow will fall in Gangwon and Honam in the morning and start from the capital region and South Chungcheong Province at night, with most areas of the country expecting snow on the 18th. A representative from the Korea Meteorological Administration noted, "The low-pressure system is expected to bring strong precipitation, strong winds, and lightning until tomorrow (the 18th) along with cold air in the upper atmosphere."

Currently, 3 to 5 centimeters of snow is falling in the Gangwon mountainous region. By the end of the day, 5 to 15 centimeters of snow will accumulate in the Gangwon mountainous area, eastern coast, northeastern North Gyeongsang province, and northern eastern coast of North Gyeongsang. Other expected snowfall is 1 to 5 centimeters in inland Gangwon, northern inland North Gyeongsang, and southern eastern coast of North Gyeongsang, and 1 centimeter in the mountainous areas of Jeju.

On the 18th, the Gangwon mountainous region is expected to see a maximum of 30 centimeters of snow, while the northeastern North Gyeongsang mountainous region will receive 5 to 20 centimeters. Expected snowfall includes 5 to 15 centimeters in the eastern coast of Gangwon, 5 to 10 centimeters in northern inland North Gyeongsang, 3 to 10 centimeters in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, inland Gangwon, and North Chungcheong, and 3 to 8 centimeters in eastern North Jeolla, eastern inland South Jeolla, Daegu, southern inland North Gyeongsang, eastern coast of North Gyeongsang, and western inland South Gyeongsang, with 1 to 5 centimeters in Daejeon, Sejong, South Chungcheong, Gwangju, South Jeolla, Ulsan, southeastern inland South Gyeongsang, Ulleungdo, Dokdo, and Jeju mountainous areas.

The final cold snap will also assert itself. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the morning low temperatures are expected to drop to between minus 4 degrees Celsius and plus 3 degrees Celsius on the 18th, and between minus 7 degrees Celsius and plus 1 degree Celsius on the 19th. A representative from the Korea Meteorological Administration said, "For the time being, morning temperatures in most parts of the country will fall below 0 degrees Celsius," adding that the eastern Gyeonggi, inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, and eastern North Jeolla would see temperatures drop to around minus 5 degrees Celsius.