Tomorrow Seoul Feels Like -20°C... Beware of Icy Roads and Meter Freezing

Snow is accumulating at Seoul Station on the 18th, when a heavy snow warning was issued across the country. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Due to a significant drop in temperature overnight, many places are experiencing icy roads as accumulated or melted snow freezes, requiring caution during the commute.

The Korea Meteorological Administration announced that from the night of the 18th, cold air will flow in from the northwest, causing the morning low temperatures on the 19th to drop sharply by about 5 to 10 degrees compared to the previous day. Strong winds will also make the perceived temperature even lower.

In Seoul, the morning low temperature is expected to be minus 13 degrees Celsius, with a perceived temperature between minus 20 and minus 18 degrees Celsius. The morning low temperatures by region are forecasted to range from minus 19 to minus 5 degrees Celsius, and the daytime highs are expected to be between minus 3 and 7 degrees Celsius.

The heavy snow advisory issued for all of Seoul was lifted at 1 p.m. on the same day. Except for parts of Gyeongbuk, Gangwon, and Chungbuk, most other regions have also had their heavy snow warnings lifted.

Snow accumulation is expected until 7 p.m. in Gangwon Yeongseo, northern Chungcheongbuk-do, northeastern inland Jeonbuk, and northern inland Gyeongbuk. Snow will fall in southern Chungcheongnam-do, the Gangwon East Coast, and southern Gyeongbuk, but due to higher temperatures, accumulation is unlikely.

As temperatures drop sharply overnight, areas that received snow will see icy roads formed by accumulated or refrozen snow. The Korea Meteorological Administration emphasized that drivers should maintain sufficient distance between vehicles and reduce speed to prevent collision accidents and other damages.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has issued a quasi-critical stage alert for water meter freezing. The water meter freezing forecast operates in four stages: interest, caution, warning, and critical. The critical stage is issued when the daily minimum temperature remains below minus 15 degrees Celsius for two or more consecutive days. The city plans to respond to the temperature drop on the 19th with preparations equivalent to the critical stage.

According to the city, from November 15 last year to the 17th of this month, about 7,500 water meters froze in Seoul. During the critical stage from the 7th to the 10th of this month alone, 4,208 cases occurred. On the 9th, 1,682 water meters broke in a single day, marking the highest daily number in the past five years.

If a water meter is frozen, the city recommends evenly thawing the meter and surrounding water pipes with a warm towel at about 50 to 60 degrees Celsius. Pouring hot water can cause sudden temperature changes that may damage the water meter.