Fine Dust Levels 'Bad' Across the Country, Seoul Issues Ultra-Fine Dust Advisory

Dense Fog Until Morning in Northern Gyeonggi Inland and Chungcheong Areas
Low Visibility Warning in Effect at Gimpo Airport, Check Flight Information
Jeju to Receive 5-40mm Rain Until the 11th

On the 9th, when fine dust levels in the metropolitan and Chungcheong areas reached 'bad' levels, the Jongno area in Seoul appeared hazy due to fine dust and morning fog. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] On Thursday the 10th, fine dust levels are 'bad' across various parts of the country. A fine dust advisory for ultrafine particles has been issued in Seoul.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the nation will be mostly cloudy, and Jeju Island will be mostly overcast. Until the morning, dense fog is expected in Incheon, Gyeonggi, inland Gangwon, the west coast of Chungnam, and northern inland Chungcheong areas. During the day, thin fog (haze) or dust fog (mist) may occur in some places, so special attention to health management is required.

As of 7 a.m., dense fog below 200 meters is present mainly in northern inland Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, and inland Yeongseo, Gangwon. Visibility at major points is 50m in Cheonan, 50m in Eumseong, 50m in Panmunjom (Paju), 70m in Anheung (Hoengseong), 90m in Noeun (Chungju), 100m in Jincheon, and 100m in Daegok (Jinju).

Currently, a low visibility warning is in effect at Gimpo Airport. The Korea Meteorological Administration stated, "Due to dense fog, flight operations may be disrupted at other airports as well, so air traffic users are advised to check flight information in advance." They also added, "Roads and bridges (such as Seohae Bridge and Incheon Bridge) located near rivers, lakes, valleys, and the west coast may have denser fog than surrounding areas, so extra caution for traffic safety is necessary."

According to the National Institute of Environmental Research, fine dust concentrations today are 'bad' in the metropolitan area, Yeongseo Gangwon, Chungcheong, Jeonbuk, Daegu, and Gyeongbuk, while other regions are 'normal.' Gwangju temporarily experiences 'bad' levels in the morning. Fine dust concentrations increased due to residual fine dust from the previous day and accumulation caused by stagnant air trapping domestically generated fine dust.

Seoul City issued an ultrafine dust (PM2.5) advisory as of midnight on the 9th. The advisory was issued as the hourly average concentration of ultrafine dust remained above 75㎍/㎥ for more than two hours. Seoul City urged, "Citizens with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, the elderly, and children should refrain from going outside and wear health masks when engaging in outdoor activities or going out."

The daytime high temperature will be between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius, higher than usual. Warm weather around 20 degrees will continue until the 12th. Most regions nationwide will experience a daily temperature range of about 10 degrees, with the southern inland areas having a very large range exceeding 15 degrees.

Due to a pressure trough passing south of Jeju Island today, occasional rain will fall in Jeju until tomorrow (the 11th). Until the afternoon, gusts of wind accompanied by thunder and lightning will occur, and hail may fall in some places. Jeju Island will receive about 5 to 40mm of rain until the 11th, and the southern coast of Jeonnam and the five western islands will see 0.1mm of raindrops.

Starting on the 12th, rain will begin on the southern coast and Jeju Island and expand to the central regions including Chungnam from the morning. In northern Gyeonggi and northern Yeongseo Gangwon, gusts of wind and thunder with lightning are expected from night to early dawn the next day.