The Seoul city government said it would issue level 2 snow response at 5 p.m. on the 1st and begin emergency duty with district offices and related agencies.
The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a heavy snow preliminary advisory across Seoul from 9 p.m. to midnight that day. Accordingly, 3–10 cm of snow is expected to accumulate from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day. The snow response stage takes effect when more than 5 cm of snowfall is forecast or when a heavy snow advisory is issued.
Accordingly, the city will use snow prediction closed-circuit (CC)TVs installed in five West Sea coastal areas—Munsan, Ganghwa, Incheon, Yeongheung, and Ujeong—to analyze the movement of snow cloud bands and snowfall paths in real time, and will pre-spread de-icing agents in response. It plans to deploy 8,299 personnel and 2,841 pieces of snow removal equipment.
The comprehensive snow removal countermeasures situation room will continuously monitor real-time traffic conditions and snow removal status through CCTVs that can check major arterial roads across Seoul. It will be installed on the third basement level of City Hall.
In addition, the city asked citizens to actively take part in clearing snow in front of their homes and stores if the fallen snow accumulates. It also urged people to use winter equipment, such as chains or snow tires, when driving on snowy or icy roads.
Han Byung-yong, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Safety Management Office, said, "As heavy snow is expected, traffic congestion during the Monday morning commute and road icing may occur," and added, "For safety, citizens should refrain from using personal vehicles as much as possible and use public transportation."