Seoul Gwanghwamun Colder Than Jirisan Nogodan

Seoul Gwanghwamun Lowest Temperature -19°C on 25th
Jirisan Nogodan Lowest Temperature -18°C

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the 25th, the morning low temperature in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, was found to be colder than Nogodan of Jirisan Mountain, which is 1500m above sea level.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the morning low temperature in Sejong-ro (Gwanghwamun), Jongno-gu, Seoul, was recorded at minus 19 degrees Celsius. Citizens returning from the Lunar New Year holiday experienced the power of the Arctic cold wave as they headed to work.

Gwanghwamun recorded minus 19 degrees at 8 a.m. and minus 17 degrees at 9 a.m. The highest temperature during the day is also expected to remain at minus 6 degrees, indicating that the severe cold will continue throughout the day in Gwanghwamun, Seoul's representative business district.

On the morning of the 16th, when a cold wave hit with the lowest temperature in Seoul dropping to minus 8 degrees Celsius, citizens hurried on their way to work on the streets of Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The morning low temperature at Nogodan of Jirisan Mountain was minus 18 degrees, 1 degree higher than Gwanghwamun. At 9 a.m., it was minus 16 degrees, also 1 degree higher than Gwanghwamun.

Nogodan is located within Jirisan National Park in Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, and is over 1500m above sea level. Along with Cheonwangbong and Banyabong, it is called one of the three main peaks. It is the starting point of the Jirisan traverse connecting Nogodan to Cheonwangbong. Many hikers visit to enjoy the winter snow flowers of Jirisan.

The fact that Gwanghwamun is colder than Nogodan highlights the severity of this cold wave.

Nogodan, Jirisan, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do

In fact, the weather in Seoul on the 25th is much colder than the Nordic countries of Scandinavia, known for their snow and ice. On the 25th, the lowest temperature in Finland was minus 7 degrees, Sweden was 3 degrees above zero, and Norway was 6 degrees above zero. Moscow, Russia, also recorded a low of minus 4 degrees, which is considerably higher compared to Seoul.

Meanwhile, the Korea Meteorological Administration stated on the 25th, "Relatively warm westerly winds are flowing into the west coast, while cold air is positioned over the land, causing air masses with different properties to meet and form snow clouds," adding, "Snow will fall again from tonight through tomorrow evening."

Expected snowfall is 2 to 7 cm in the central region excluding Gangwon Yeongdong and northern inland Gyeongbuk, and in some places on the west coast of Incheon-Gyeonggi and the west coast of Chungnam, snowfall may exceed 10 cm.