Snow in Gangwon Yeongdong to increase by 10cm until afternoon... "Beware of icy roads during commute"

Snow Continues in Gangwon Mountains and East Coast Until This Afternoon
Most Snow Stops in Seoul Metropolitan Area, Inland Gangwon, and Chungbuk
As of 6 AM, 77cm in Misiryeong, 36.3cm in Bukgangneung
Morning Temperatures Below Freezing... Daytime Highs 1 to 12 Degrees

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] In Gangwon-do, where heavy snow fell over the weekend, an additional 10cm of snow is expected to accumulate by the afternoon. Although most of the snow has stopped in the Seoul metropolitan area, inland Gangwon, and Chungcheong regions, some areas still have accumulated snow, which is expected to cause traffic congestion during the morning commute.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration as of 6 a.m. on the 2nd, snow is falling in the Gangwon mountain areas, the East Coast, northern Gangwon, and coastal areas of Gyeongsang Province. Snow that had been falling in the Seoul metropolitan area, inland Gangwon, North Chungcheong, and North Gyeongsang regions mostly stopped during the early morning, but the snow remains accumulated.

By 3 p.m. today, an additional 5 to 10cm of snow is expected in the Gangwon Yeongdong region, and 1 to 5cm more in Ulleungdo and Dokdo. In areas such as Gangwon Yeongdong, which received heavy snowfall until yesterday, caution is advised regarding damage to facilities such as livestock barns and vinyl greenhouses caused by the accumulated snow.

Current snow accumulation amounts are 77.6 cm at Misiryeong, 68.6 cm at Jinburyeong, 36.3 cm in Bukgangneung, 27.6 cm in Yangyang, 10.7 cm in Jeokseong (Paju), 8.7 cm in Jecheon, 3.0 cm in Chungju, and 2.1 cm in Seoul.

The Korea Meteorological Administration stated, "In areas where snow has fallen, including Seoul, the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon-do, northern Chungbuk, and the Gyeongbuk region, roads are very slippery. In other areas where rain has fallen, road surfaces may have ice patches due to overnight temperature drops. Slippery accidents may occur especially on sloped roads, bridges, and tunnel entrances, so caution is required for both drivers and pedestrians."

On the 1st, citizens are walking with umbrellas on Yonsei-ro in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, as spring rain falls. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Due to the influence of cold northwesterly air, temperatures will drop below freezing. Inland Gangwon and northern Gyeonggi will experience temperatures around -5°C, while other central regions and northern Gyeongbuk will fall below 0°C. The daytime high temperatures are forecasted to range from 1 to 12°C. Tomorrow morning, the lowest temperatures in northeastern Gyeonggi and Gangwon will drop to -10°C, and until the 4th, daily temperature differences could reach up to 20°C.

As of 5 a.m., temperatures in major regions nationwide are: Seoul 0.2°C, Incheon -0.4°C, Suwon 1.0°C, Chuncheon -0.5°C, Gangneung 0.3°C, Cheongju 1.2°C, Daejeon 1.7°C, Jeonju 2.5°C, Gwangju 4.2°C, Jeju 7.3°C, Daegu 0.5°C, Busan 2.4°C, Ulsan 2.1°C, and Changwon 3.1°C.

Strong winds will blow today along the Gyeongsang coastal areas and Jeju Island, with strong winds also expected along the West Coast and Gangwon Yeongdong. Very strong winds and very high waves are expected in the central West Sea offshore, the entire southern West Sea, the eastern South Sea offshore, the waters off Jeju Island, and the southern offshore of Jeju Island, so vessels engaged in navigation or fishing should exercise caution.

Wave heights will range from 2.0 to 5.0 meters in the East Sea nearshore, and from 0.5 to 4.0 meters in the West and South Sea nearshore. Offshore wave heights are expected to be 3.0 to 6.0 meters in the East Sea, 0.5 to 4.0 meters in the West Sea, and 2.0 to 4.0 meters in the South Sea.