A biting cold snap is settling over the Korean peninsula, with temperatures expected to plunge to a frigid -17 degrees Celsius this week. Today, monday, january 19th, most of the country will experience cloudy skies and temperatures slightly above average for this time of year, but a significant shift is on the horizon.
Winter storms and Slippery Roads Expected
A mix of snow and rain is anticipated across much of the country, creating hazardous travel conditions.
- Expect snowfall amounts of up to 5 cm in Ulleungdo and Dokdo.
- Strong winds, gusting over 70 km/h, are forecast for coastal areas.
- Temperatures will drop dramatically on Tuesday, reaching as low as -17°C in some regions.
- The eastern region faces a heightened risk of forest fires due to dry conditions.
The morning temperature will be milder than usual, ranging from -5 to 6°C, but daytime highs will be cooler, between -3 and 10°C.rain or snow is already falling on the eastern coast of northern Gangwon and mountainous areas, and will spread to other central regions – excluding Seoul and Incheon – later this morning. Isolated showers of snow or rain are also possible in Seoul, Incheon, and parts of Gyeonggi Province, and also western Jeollabuk-do.
What kind of precipitation can we expect? Snowfall is predicted to range from 1 to 3 cm in the central regions, with up to 5 cm expected in Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Coastal areas will experience stronger winds, gusting over 70 km/h, creating blizzard-like conditions. And exercising caution is advised.
Looking Ahead: A Deep freeze is Coming
Tuesday, January 20th, will be cloudy but gradually clearing, though temperatures will plummet. The lowest temperature will be between -17 and -3°C, with daytime highs ranging from -4 to 6°C. The combination of cold temperatures and strong winds will make it feel even colder, so dressing warmly is crucial.
The cold will persist through the week. Wednesday will be mostly clear in central and Gyeongsang regions,but cloudy with potential snow or rain in Jeolla and Jeju. Snow is expected to begin on the Jeolla west coast and Jeju Island early Wednesday morning, spreading to the southern inland of Jeollabuk-do and the central inland of Gwangju and Jeonnam by late morning.
Thursday will follow a similar pattern, with clear skies in the central and Gyeongsang regions and continued cloud cover and precipitation in Jeolla and Jeju. From Friday, January 23rd, through Saturday, January 24th, central regions will be partly cloudy, while Jeolla and Jeju will remain cloudy with a chance of rain or snow, particularly on Saturday morning.
The weekly forecast indicates mostly clear skies from January 25th to January 28th, but Jeolla and Jeju will likely remain cloudy. Temperatures will remain below normal, with lows ranging from -13 to 0°C and highs from -3 to 7°C. Authorities are also warning of dry conditions in the eastern region, increasing the risk of fires.
