Snowfall Amid Severe Cold in Gwangju and Jeonnam... Heavy Snow Advisory Issued for Northwestern Jeonnam

Snowfall Continues Through January 22,
Over 10 Centimeters Expected in Some Areas
Morning Temperatures Below Freezing,
Wind Chill to Make It Feel Even Colder

On Daehan, the major solar term, on the 20th, merchants at Jungang Market in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, are steaming corn and waiting for customers despite the biting cold weather. Photo by Yonhap News.

As subzero cold continues in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, heavy snowfall has been forecast, particularly for the northwestern part of Jeonnam. Heavy snow advisories have been issued for some areas, and snow accumulation could exceed 10 centimeters in certain locations by January 22.

According to the Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration on January 21, snow is expected to fall from early morning in Gwangju, the west coast of Jeonnam, and the central inland areas of Jeonnam, and from the evening in the southwestern coastal areas of Jeonnam. The snowfall is expected to continue through January 22.

The expected snowfall amounts are 1 to 5 centimeters in Gwangju, the central inland areas of Jeonnam, and the southwestern coastal areas of Jeonnam, and 3 to 8 centimeters on the west coast of Jeonnam. In particular, more than 10 centimeters of snow may accumulate in the northwestern part of Jeonnam.

From 2:40 a.m. to 5:50 a.m. on this day, the Gwangju Meteorological Administration sequentially issued heavy snow advisories for five counties in Jeonnam: Yeongam, Muan, Jangseong, Hampyeong, and Yeonggwang. A heavy snow advisory is issued when the cumulative snowfall is forecast to reach 5 centimeters or more within 24 hours. As of 6 a.m., the recorded snowfall was 5.5 centimeters in Yeonggwang, 5.1 centimeters in Sangmu Base, and 2.9 centimeters in Hampyeong.

Snow clouds are expected to spread to most areas of Gwangju and Jeonnam throughout the day. Snowfall of 1 to 5 centimeters is also forecast for Gwangju, the central inland areas of Jeonnam, and the southwestern coastal areas of Jeonnam. Areas where snow does not fall are expected to receive 5 to 10 millimeters of rain.

On this day, Gwangju and Jeonnam will experience cloudy weather under the influence of a cold continental high-pressure system expanding southeastward from northern China. Morning lows will range from minus 9 to minus 4 degrees Celsius, and daytime highs will range from minus 2 to plus 1 degree Celsius. The wind will make it feel even colder.

An official from the Gwangju Meteorological Administration stated, "Due to the influence of cold air descending from the north, morning lows in most areas will fall below minus 5 degrees Celsius, making it very cold," and added, "As heavy snowfall is expected mainly along the west coast of Jeonnam, please be cautious about the collapse of structures such as greenhouses and ensure traffic safety."