Short and Heavy Snow in the Seoul Metropolitan Area from Morning... "Be Careful When Driving and Walking Home"

Snow Flurries Starting at 9 AM in Seoul and Gyeonggi Inland
Seoul Snowfall Approximately 2-7 cm, Eastern Gyeonggi 3-8 cm
Typhoon-Force Winds Trigger West Sea Strong Wind Warning

On the 18th, when a heavy snow warning was issued across the country, citizens were moving through Seoul Station while being covered in snow. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] From 9 a.m. on the 28th, short and heavy snow will fall in the Seoul metropolitan area. After the snow stops, temperatures will drop sharply, causing roads to freeze and traffic congestion is expected during the evening commute.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted that snow will begin at 8 a.m. on the Incheon and Gyeonggi West Coast and the northwestern part of Gyeonggi, and from 9 a.m. in Seoul and inland areas of Gyeonggi. In the inland areas of the metropolitan area excluding Incheon and the Gyeonggi West Coast, sleet will start and then change to snow.

Cloud bands from the northern West Sea move southward, causing rain that meets cold air behind it and changes into snow. Because the cloud bands are narrow and move quickly, short and heavy snow will fall in different regions. Even within Seoul, temperatures vary by area, so the timing of snowfall and the amount of accumulation will differ significantly. The expected snowfall amounts are about 2 to 7 cm in Seoul and 3 to 8 cm in the eastern and northwestern inland areas of Gyeonggi.

Snow is also forecasted to fall until the 29th in Jeolla Province and Jeju Island. In areas with heavy snow, visibility will be low and the snow will freeze, making roads very slippery. Drivers should slow down and maintain a safe distance.

A meteorological official explained, "In the metropolitan area, precipitation will start as rain or sleet, and as the cloud band moves eastward, the eastern Gyeonggi and Yeongseo region of Gangwon Province will start with snow and continue until the afternoon."

Strong winds combined with snow require attention to the safety management of facilities such as screening clinics and vinyl greenhouses. Wind speeds will exceed 70 km/h (20 m/s) in most regions nationwide, and exceed 90 km/h (25 m/s) on the Incheon and Gyeonggi West Coast and island areas. The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued a strong wind warning for the five West Sea islands and a strong wind advisory for the Incheon and Gyeonggi West Coast and the Chungnam West Coast.

Waves will be very high across all seas, and a wind wave advisory has been issued for the central West Sea and the northern offshore area of the southern West Sea. Starting this afternoon, additional wind wave warnings will be announced for other seas. Waves will remain very high until the 29th in the West Sea, South Sea, and all seas around Jeju Island, so special caution is required for navigation and fishing operations.