[News in Numbers] 28.6cm of Snow Fell in Seoul Over Two Days

Following the heavy snowfall on the 27th, snow continued until the early morning of the 28th, resulting in a total snowfall of 28.6 cm in Seoul. This ranks as the third highest snowfall not only in November but also throughout the entire winter season. Although the heavy snow warning issued across Seoul has been lifted, snow or rain is expected to fall again on the 29th.

On the 28th, when a large amount of snow fell for two consecutive days in Seoul and the metropolitan area, an official from the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul, was conducting snow removal work. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the snowfall measured at the Seoul Meteorological Observatory in Jongno-gu, which serves as the standard for Seoul's snowfall, reached 28.6 cm as of 8 a.m. on the 28th. This is the third highest amount since modern meteorological observations began on October 1, 1907. The highest recorded snowfall was 31.0 cm on March 24, 1922, followed by 30.0 cm on January 31, 1969.

Some areas experienced snowfall exceeding 40 cm due to this heavy snow. These include Yongin in Gyeonggi Province (47.5 cm), Suwon (43.0 cm), Gunpo (42.4 cm), Gwanak-gu in Seoul (41.2 cm), and Anyang in Gyeonggi Province (40.7 cm). Notably, Suwon recorded the highest snowfall since meteorological observations began there in 1964.

In addition, heavy snow fell nationwide, including 30.3 cm in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province; 27.8 cm at Chiaksan in Wonju; 39.1 cm at the Jinchun Satellite Center in Chungbuk; 26.0 cm in Jinan, Jeonbuk and Incheon; and 25.1 cm at Samgakbong in Jeju.

Although the heavy snow warning across Seoul has been lifted, snow or rain is expected in various parts of the country on the 29th. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts snowfall of 1 to 5 cm in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province. The Chungcheong region, including Daejeon and Sejong, is expected to receive 1 to 3 cm, while inland areas of Gangwon, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang provinces are forecasted to get 1 to 5 cm. Jeju Island is expected to receive 3 to 8 cm of snow until the early morning of the 30th.

Meanwhile, the winter temperature outlook has shifted from an 'extreme cold wave' to a 'warm winter,' but some experts predict highly variable 'rollercoaster weather.'

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's recent three-month forecast (December 2024 to February 2025), temperatures in December and January are expected to be similar to average years, while February is expected to be warmer than usual. The agency explained in its monthly forecast that "In December, high sea surface temperatures in the northwest Pacific will strengthen high-pressure circulation, potentially raising temperatures," but "due to La Ni?a and reduced Arctic sea ice, cold and dry air may occasionally flow in, causing significant temperature fluctuations and generally low precipitation." Such high variability in temperature changes is expected to continue into January. This means periods of heavy snow and cold waves may be followed by sudden warm spells, resulting in alternating weather conditions.