This Winter's Unpredictable Weather... More Concerns About COVID-19

KMA Announces 3-Month Long-Term Forecast
December Temperatures Similar to or Lower Than Average
January and February Next Year Expected to Have Average-Level Cold

On the 23rd, when the lowest morning temperature in Seoul recorded minus 1.4 degrees Celsius and inland areas nationwide dropped below freezing, office workers wearing thick coats are heading to work at the Sejongno intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] This winter is expected to be somewhat colder than last year, which was warm, with greater temperature variability.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) announced its long-term forecast for three months (December to February next year) on the 23rd, based on global climate prediction models and the 8th Korea-China-Japan-Mongolia climate prediction expert meeting. According to the forecast, December this year will have temperatures similar to or lower than the average. The average temperature range for a typical December is 1.0 to 2.0 degrees Celsius, with a minimum temperature of -3.2 degrees and a maximum temperature of 7.0 degrees.

January and February next year are expected to be similar to the average. The average temperature in January is expected to be between -1.6 and -0.4 degrees, and in February between 0.4 and 1.8 degrees. January is anticipated to experience significant temperature fluctuations due to periodic influences from cold air and relatively warm air masses. In February, as the cold air weakens, temperatures will gradually rise, but there may be days when temperatures drop sharply within a single day. The temperature difference between day and night is also expected to increase. Precipitation in December and February is expected to be similar to the average, while January may see less precipitation than usual, according to the KMA. There is unlikely to be a nationwide meteorological drought through February.

This winter, the Yeongdong region of Gangwon Province is expected to receive heavy snowfall due to the influence of low pressure systems or easterly winds. From December to January, snow cloud bands formed as cold air passes over the West Sea will move inland, bringing heavy snow mainly to the west coast and Jeju Island. A KMA official stated, "As with last summer, unexpected unusual pressure systems may occur due to climate change," adding, "If there are significant changes in pressure systems, revised forecasts will be announced."

Meanwhile, on the 23rd, when a cold wave advisory was in effect, morning temperatures in the central inland and North Gyeongsang inland areas dropped by more than 10 degrees compared to the previous day. The lowest temperatures recorded that day were -1.5 degrees in Seoul, -0.9 degrees in Incheon, -4.8 degrees in Paju, and 1.7 degrees in Daejeon, marking the coldest weather this fall so far. The cold spell will continue until the day after tomorrow, but morning temperatures are expected to rise above freezing starting tomorrow. The morning low in Seoul on the 24th is forecasted to be 0 degrees, and 1 degree on the 25th.

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