[Tomorrow's Weather] End of Holiday, -12°C Cold Wave on Commute... Snow and Rain Across Most of the Country

The First Commute After the Holidays Begins Below Freezing Nationwide
Snow or Rain Expected in Seoul Metropolitan Area, Gangwon, and Chungcheong

The morning of January 31, the last day of the month, will be very cold with very low temperatures. Rain or snow is expected in various parts of the central region.

On the 9th, as the morning temperature in Seoul dropped to minus 12 degrees Celsius and the cold wave continued, icicles froze along the riverside at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 30th, the cold weather with temperatures dropping below freezing in most parts of the country is expected to continue until the morning of the 31st.

The lowest temperature on the morning of the 31st will range between -12°C and 0°C, similar to the average, but the wind will blow somewhat strongly, making the wind chill temperature even lower and the cold more intense.

In the northeastern inland areas of Gyeonggi, inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, and central and northern parts of Chungbuk where a cold wave advisory has been issued, temperatures are expected to drop below -12°C (around -15°C in some inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon). In most other regions nationwide, temperatures are expected to fall between -10°C and -5°C.

Elderly people and children with weak immune systems should avoid outdoor activities as much as possible, and special care should be taken to prevent fires when using heating devices such as stoves and electric blankets.

With snow accumulated in most parts of the country, temperatures dropping overnight will cause the snow to freeze, resulting in icy roads and slippery surfaces in many places. When driving, maintain a safe distance and reduce speed.

On the 31st, the country will be mostly cloudy. Rain or snow is expected from dawn to night in the Seoul metropolitan area and inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, and from afternoon to night in the northern Chungnam region and central and northern Chungbuk.

Expected snowfall (precipitation) amounts are 1 to 5 cm (less than 5 mm) in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, the five western islands, and inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, and around 1 cm (1 mm) in Sejong, northern Chungnam, and central and northern Chungbuk.

On Saturday, February 1, the country will be mostly cloudy with some areas experiencing rain or snow.

In the northern offshore waters of the East Sea southern part and the outer southern offshore waters of the East Sea southern part, where a strong wind and high wave advisory has been issued, very strong winds of 30 to 60 km/h will blow until dawn on the 31st; in the inner central offshore waters of the East Sea until the morning of the 31st; and in the outer central offshore waters of the East Sea until the afternoon of the 31st. Waves will be very high, ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 meters, so ships navigating or fishing should exercise caution.

From the early morning of Saturday the 1st, very strong winds with gusts exceeding 70 km/h will blow in Jeju Island, so attention should be paid to facility management and safety accidents. Flight operations may also be disrupted, so air travelers should check flight information in advance.

On the 1st, thunderstorms with gusts are expected in the seas around Jeju Island, so maritime safety accidents should also be carefully monitored.