[Weather] Mild First Weekend of the New Year... Fine Dust Levels 'Bad'

Published 03 Jan.2020 21:00(KST)

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 Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Kim] On Saturday the 4th, the whole country will be mostly clear, and temperatures will rise 3 to 4 degrees above average, continuing mild winter weather, but the entire nation will be covered with fine dust.

Morning temperatures will range from -8 to 3 degrees Celsius, and daytime temperatures will range from 4 to 12 degrees Celsius. However, the Korea Meteorological Administration reported that the temperature difference between day and night could reach 10 to 12 degrees Celsius, especially inland, so health management should be carefully observed.

By region, Seoul will see temperatures between -3 and 6 degrees, Incheon between -2 and 5 degrees. Suwon -4 to 6 degrees, Chuncheon -6 to 6 degrees, Gangneung 2 to 10 degrees, Daejeon -3 to 9 degrees, Sejong -5 to 8 degrees, Jeonju -2 to 8 degrees, Gwangju 0 to 10 degrees, Daegu -1 to 9 degrees, Busan 3 to 11 degrees, Ulsan 1 to 10 degrees, Changwon 0 to 10 degrees, Jeju 5 to 11 degrees, and so on.

A dry weather advisory is in effect for Gangwon Yeongdong and the Gyeongsang coastal areas. The air is very dry, and winds of 10 to 13 m/s (35 to 45 km/h) are expected. Since small sparks can lead to large fires, special caution is required to prevent forest fires and other fire hazards.

Fine dust concentrations will be high in most areas nationwide on this day. This is due to stagnant air and the influx of fine dust from abroad.

The National Institute of Environmental Research's Air Quality Integrated Forecast Center forecasted that fine dust concentrations will be at 'bad' levels in the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon Yeongseo, Chungcheong region, Gwangju, Jeonbuk, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Jeju areas.