Fine Dust 'Emergency' on the First Weekend of the New Year... 'Preliminary Reduction Measures' in the Seoul Metropolitan Area

Weather is mild and the air is dry... Rain early next week will relieve it

The sky viewed from the Government Complex Gwacheon on the 3rd, when the preliminary fine dust reduction measures were implemented in the Seoul metropolitan area, appears hazy. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] On the first weekend of the new year, the entire country is expected to be warmer than usual, but outdoor activities may be restricted due to the impact of high concentrations of fine dust. The fine dust is expected to be cleared only after rain falls nationwide early next week.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Research's Air Quality Integrated Forecast Center, as of the morning of the 3rd, fine dust levels nationwide are showing a 'bad' level. Fine dust in Sejong, Chungbuk, and Chungnam is expected to reach 'very bad' levels by noon. Due to stagnant air, fine dust generated domestically has accumulated, and with the influx of foreign fine dust continuing from the previous day, concentrations have increased in most regions.

Accordingly, in the Seoul metropolitan area including Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi Province, a preemptive fine dust reduction measure will be issued and implemented from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the same day. This is the first time in about two months since October last year that this measure has been applied in the metropolitan area.

Fine dust is expected to subside due to rain starting Monday (the 6th) next week. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted, "Rain will begin on the west coast and the south coast on the afternoon of the 6th and will expand nationwide on the 7th."

Temperatures will be about 3 to 4 degrees higher than usual nationwide throughout the weekend, but the temperature difference between day and night is expected to widen to 10 to 12 degrees, especially inland. The lowest temperature on the morning of the 4th is forecasted to be between -9 and 3 degrees Celsius, and the highest temperature during the day between 5 and 12 degrees Celsius.

The Korea Meteorological Administration urged, "The air is very dry in Gangwon Yeongdong and the Gyeongsang coastal areas where a dry warning is in effect, and especially in the Gangwon mountain areas, winds of 35 to 45 km/h (10 to 13 m/s) will blow strongly until the 4th," adding, "Please be especially careful to prevent wildfires and other fire hazards."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.