The Start of Winter 'Ipdong'... Fine Dust Levels Bad

Temperature Difference Between Day and Night Around 15 Degrees Celsius

On Friday, November 7, which marks the beginning of winter known as Ipdong, most parts of the country will see considerable cloud cover.

The Incheon industrial complex is shrouded in fine dust as seen from the Ara Tower Observatory in Seo-gu, Incheon. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, fine dust concentrations are expected to be at 'bad' levels in Seoul, Incheon, southern Gyeonggi Province, the Chungcheong region, and North Jeolla Province, while other regions will remain at 'normal' levels. Thick fog with visibility less than 200 meters will form across inland areas nationwide until the morning, so commuters should take extra caution. In the Yeongdong region of Gangwon Province, intermittent rain of 5 to 30 millimeters is expected from late afternoon until midday the following day.

Across inland areas, the temperature difference between day and night will be significant, around 15 degrees Celsius. Daytime highs will range from 17 to 22 degrees Celsius, similar to or slightly above the seasonal average. As of 5 a.m., temperatures are as follows: Seoul 9.1°C, Incheon 10.0°C, Suwon 6.6°C, Chuncheon 4.4°C, Gangneung 8.5°C, Cheongju 9.1°C, Daejeon 8.0°C, Jeonju 8.8°C, Gwangju 10.3°C, Jeju 16.9°C, Daegu 7.9°C, Busan 14.3°C, Ulsan 10.2°C, and Changwon 11.6°C.

Waves in coastal waters are expected to reach 0.5 to 2.5 meters in the East Sea, 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the West Sea, and 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the South Sea. In offshore waters (about 200 kilometers from the coastline), wave heights in all seas-including the East Sea, West Sea, and South Sea-will range from 0.5 to 2.5 meters.