An early "midwinter cold snap" is expected to return early next week. In particular, on Tuesday the 28th, the morning low in Seoul is forecast to drop to 2 degrees, and with strong winds the wind chill could fall below freezing.

The Korea meteorological Administration said in a regular forecast briefing on the 23rd, "Next week, a deep mass of cold air from the north will move down toward Korea, and a strong cold spell will emerge early in the week, especially on Monday and Tuesday."

On the chilly morning of the 22nd, citizens walk through Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul wearing heavy clothing. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 20th to the 22nd, temperatures plunged and then recently returned to around normal levels. On the 21st, the morning low in Seoul was 4.8 degrees. Through this weekend, cold air from the north will not push down deeply, so the weather will be generally mild, but it will turn sharply colder starting early next week.

The morning low in Seoul is expected to be about 5 degrees on the 27th and 2 degrees on the 28th. During this period, daytime highs will also stay around 10 degrees. An official at the Korea meteorological Administration said, "With strong winds, the wind chill is expected to be low," adding, "In some inland areas and high-altitude mountain regions, the wind chill could drop below freezing." A cold wave advisory could be issued for some Gangwon mountain areas.

However, this cold will gradually retreat starting on Thursday the 30th. In the latter half of next week, Seoul will return to normal levels, with morning lows of 8–9 degrees and highs of 16–17 degrees.

Expected temperatures in Seoul from Oct. 24 to Nov. 2. /Courtesy of Korea meteorological Administration

Meanwhile, the Gangwon Yeongdong and East Coast regions saw frequent rain this week. These areas had seen virtually no rain and suffered from extreme drought, but precipitation has concentrated since October began. From the 1st to the 22nd of this month, the number of days with precipitation in the Gangwon Yeongdong region reached 19, the most since 1973.

In the Gangwon Yeongdong region, more heavy rain is expected through the 25th. In particular, between the early morning and morning of the 24th, the northern part of Gangwon Yeongdong could see cumulative rainfall of more than 100 mm. On Sunday the 26th, there is a chance of sprinkles mainly along the west coast. Elsewhere, clear weather will continue for the time being. However, on the afternoon of the 30th, rain is forecast mainly for the greater Seoul area.

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