"Should I Cancel My Plans?" Another 'Snow Bomb' Expected This Weekend... Over 10cm in Gangwon Region

Central Inland to See 1-3 cm of Snowfall Per Hour

This weekend, heavy snowfall is expected in the Seoul metropolitan area and other regions of the central inland.

On the 4th, a road near Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul, remained icy as snow removal work was not completed. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 12th, from this afternoon through the weekend, strong and heavy snow will fall mainly in the mountainous areas and eastern coast of Gangwon Province, as well as the central inland. In the Gangwon region, more than 10 centimeters of snow is forecast, while the central inland is expected to see snowfall at a rate of 1 to 3 centimeters per hour.

This is largely due to a trough of low pressure forming between a high-pressure system that moved eastward after bringing snow and rain to eastern regions such as the Gangwon east coast and mountainous areas, and a new high-pressure system approaching from the northwest of the Korean Peninsula. As a result, heavy snowfall warnings are expected to be issued for the central region, including the Seoul metropolitan area. On the 4th, during the evening commute, up to about 5 centimeters of snow fell in just 30 minutes to an hour in the Seoul metropolitan area, causing significant inconvenience. This weekend, strong snowfall is expected to continue for a relatively longer period.

On the 13th, precipitation will begin in the morning and continue into the night. Depending on the temperature, rain or snow is expected in the central region, eastern inland of Jeolla, western inland of Gyeongsang, northern inland of North Gyeongsang, northeastern mountainous areas of North Gyeongsang, and mountainous areas of Jeju. Rain is expected in the remaining regions. As cold air settles over the Korean Peninsula and the trough injects relatively warm southwesterly winds, precipitation is expected to develop. Initially, rain or a mix of rain and snow will fall, but as temperatures gradually drop, it will turn to snow. Heavy snowfall in the central inland and other areas is expected to occur in the afternoon.

On the 14th, snow is also expected, mainly along the west coasts of Chungnam and Honam. As cold air at around minus 30 degrees Celsius descends from the north in the upper atmosphere, and northwesterly winds blow along the edge of the continental high-pressure system in the lower atmosphere, snow clouds are expected to develop over the West Sea due to the temperature difference between the sea and the air. As cold winds blow from the north, strong winds will affect the entire country, and rough seas are expected offshore.

The government is activating its response system in line with the heavy snow forecast. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, led by Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters Director Kim Kwangyong, held a meeting to review snow removal measures with relevant agencies. During the meeting, officials reaffirmed the cooperation system to prevent gaps in snow removal at boundaries between provinces, cities, counties, and districts, as well as on expressways, national highways, and local roads. They also instructed that snow removal status be shared in real time with neighboring local governments and road management authorities.