National Cold Wave Warning: Feels Like -15°C... Even Colder Tomorrow

Daytime High Temperatures in Central Region Also Below Freezing
Gangwon Mountains and Northern Gyeonggi Below -10°C
Rain or Snow in Western Jeolla and Jeju
Tomorrow Morning Temperatures 1-5°C Lower

On the 27th, when the morning low temperature dropped below freezing mainly in the central region, citizens dressed in thick clothes hurried their steps around Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] On Wednesday the 30th, a cold wave warning was issued for most regions nationwide. With cold air and strong winds, the perceived temperature dropped to as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius, and the daytime high temperature in the central region is expected to remain below freezing.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration as of 8 a.m., the temperatures in major areas are Seoul -6.8°C, Incheon -6.4°C, Suwon -6.6°C, Chuncheon -7.0°C, Gangneung -2.1°C, Cheongju -4.0°C, Daejeon -4.2°C, Andong -3.1°C, Jeonju -1.8°C, Gwangju -0.3°C, Daegu -1.1°C, Ulsan 1.0°C, Busan 1.7°C, Jeju 6.6°C, etc.

Temperatures in inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon and northern Gyeonggi dropped below minus 10 degrees Celsius. As of 6 a.m., Imnam (Cheorwon) recorded -16.1°C, Gwangdeoksan (Hwacheon) -16°C, and Hyangrobong (Goseong) -15.5°C. The central region including Chungcheong, Jeolla, and the Seoul metropolitan area also recorded temperatures around -10 to -5 degrees Celsius. Gwanak (Gwacheon) -10.6°C, Seolcheonbong (Muju) -13.0°C, and Gyeryongsan -9.6°C were recorded.

Morning temperatures dropped 15 to 20 degrees compared to the previous day (8~18°C), prompting cold wave warnings nationwide. Areas under cold wave warnings include Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheongnam-do (except Taean), Chungcheongbuk-do, Jeollanam-do (except Mokpo, Shinan excluding Heuksan-myeon, Heuksando, and Hongdo), Jeollabuk-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, Seoul, Incheon (except Ongjin-gun), Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, Ulsan, and Sejong.

Daytime temperatures will range from -3 to 6 degrees Celsius, about 10 degrees lower than the previous day (11.9~20.3°C). Most of the central region will remain below freezing, while the southern region will be around 5 degrees Celsius. Strong winds will make the perceived temperature even lower. Tomorrow (the 1st), morning temperatures will drop 1 to 5 degrees further, making it colder. The forecast for the morning low on the 1st is -14 to -1 degrees Celsius, and the daytime high is 2 to 7 degrees Celsius.

Snow is forecast for the western coast of Chungnam and the western coast of Jeolla today. Clouds formed by the temperature difference between the cold air over the West Sea and the warm sea surface will be carried by northwesterly winds, bringing occasional snow to the western Jeolla region, Jeju Island, and the western coast of Chungnam. There will be occasional snow in the central and northern inland areas of Chungnam until the morning.

Snow will fall until early tomorrow morning on the western coast of Chungnam, northern inland Chungnam, and the western coast of Jeolla, and until the afternoon on Jeju Island. From tomorrow night, occasional rain or snow is expected on the western coasts of Chungnam and Jeolla. Expected snowfall amounts by the 1st are 1 to 5 cm in western Jeonbuk and Jeju mountain areas, and 1 to 3 cm in the western coast of Chungnam, central and northern inland Chungnam, western Jeonnam, the West Sea 5 islands, and Ulleungdo and Dokdo.

Strong winds with speeds of 10 to 16 m/s and gusts exceeding 25 m/s are expected in most coastal areas, Gangwon mountain areas, northeastern Gyeongbuk mountain areas, and Jeju Island. Until the 1st, winds will blow very strongly at 10 to 20 m/s over most seas, with waves reaching 2 to 4 meters high.

The Korea Meteorological Administration advised, "Roads may become icy due to rain that fell the previous day freezing, and visibility will be low in areas with rain or snow until the 1st. Roads may be slippery due to freezing rain or snow, so special caution is required for traffic safety." They also warned, "Strong winds and high waves may disrupt flights and ferry operations, so passengers using air or sea transportation should check operation information in advance."