Fine Dust 'Bad' in Seoul Metropolitan and Chungcheong Areas... Dense Fog Warning in Central Regions

Visibility 30m at Yeongjongdo, 70m at Seosan, etc.
Low visibility warnings issued for Incheon, Gimpo, and Gwangju Airports
Temperatures remain above average until the 11th

The sky over Seoul appeared hazy on the 23rd due to fine dust pollution from China and stagnant air in the central and western regions. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] On Wednesday the 9th, the central region will have many clouds with dense fog in the morning, and some areas will experience light fog and haze during the day.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, temperatures near the surface dropped overnight, causing dense fog with visibility below 100 meters mainly in the Chungnam and Jeonbuk regions. Even after the fog clears, some areas will have light fog or haze during the day, so health precautions are advised. Haze refers to a phenomenon where smoke or fine dust particles suspended in the air make the atmosphere appear hazy when humidity is low.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Research, fine dust levels are 'bad' in the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungbuk, and Chungnam, while other regions are at 'normal' levels. Sejong will temporarily experience 'bad' levels in the morning.

As of 8 a.m., temperatures in major areas are Seoul 7°C, Incheon 8.6°C, Suwon 6.2°C, Gangneung 11.8°C, Cheongju 7.9°C, Daejeon 7.8°C, Jeonju 9.0°C, Daegu 5.3°C, Pohang 9.0°C, Ulsan 11.2°C, Busan 13.1°C, Gwangju 6.6°C, Yeosu 9.9°C, Changwon 7.9°C, and Jeju 12.8°C. The daytime high is forecasted to be between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius. The daily temperature range will be around 10 degrees, with the southern inland areas experiencing a very large range of about 15 degrees. Temperatures will remain somewhat higher than average (low 1~10°C, high 12~18°C) until the 11th.

As of 7 a.m., very dense fog with visibility below 100 meters is present in the Gyeonggi, Chungnam, and Jeolla regions. Visibility at major points includes Yeongjongdo 30m, Julpo (Buan) 50m, Yangju 70m, Seosan 70m, Jinanjuchun 90m, Gurye 90m, Sunchang-gun 100m, Unpyeong (Hwaseong) 110m, and Eumseong 120m.

Until around 10 a.m., dense fog with visibility under 200 meters will be concentrated in Incheon, Gyeonggi Province, Chungcheong, and Jeolla regions, while other inland areas will have fog with visibility under 1 km.

The Korea Meteorological Administration warned, "Fog will be even denser on bridges such as rivers, lakes, Yeongjong Bridge, Incheon Bridge, and Seohae Bridge, causing sudden changes in visibility, so caution is needed." It also stated, "Low visibility warnings are in effect at Incheon, Gimpo, Muan, and Gwangju airports, and other airports may experience flight disruptions due to dense fog. Air travelers should check flight information in advance."

The dry weather warning in the Gangwon East Coast means the air will be very dry, and other areas are also dry, so caution is advised to prevent various fires including wildfires. Dense fog is expected in the West Sea coastal areas until the morning. Sea waves will be 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the East and South Sea coastal areas, and 0.5 meters in the West Sea coastal areas. Offshore waves are expected to be 0.5 to 2.0 meters in the East Sea and 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the West and South Seas.