Jeju Island Issues First Cold Wave Warning in 57 Years... Residents and Tourists Urged to Be Cautious

The Biggest Cold Wave Peak on the 8th with a 9 PM Gihae Alert

Warnings Issued for Heavy Snow, Cold, and Strong Winds from Night of the 6th to the 10th

Jeju 1100 Road. Photo by Park Changwon

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters (Jeju) Reporter Park Chang-won] Jeju Island has been hit by a cold wave warning for the first time in 57 years.

The Jeju Regional Meteorological Administration issued a cold wave warning for the Jeju mountain area at 9 p.m. on the 6th.

From the evening of the 6th until the morning of the 10th, heavy snow is expected across all areas of Jeju Island, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperature and strong winds.

This is the first time a cold wave warning has been issued in the Jeju area since the cold wave advisory system was introduced in 1964. A cold wave warning is issued when the morning minimum temperature falls below -15℃ for two or more consecutive days or when a rapid temperature drop is expected to cause significant damage.

The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province urged residents and tourists to pay special attention to health management, facility maintenance, and traffic safety in response to the cold wave warning.

According to the Jeju Regional Meteorological Administration, the expected snowfall in Jeju from the 6th to the morning of the 10th is forecasted to be 5?15 cm along the coast, 10?30 cm in the mid-mountain areas, and over 50 cm in the Jeju mountain region. Expected temperatures are a high of 5?7℃ on the 6th, 2 to -2℃ on the 7th, and -3 to 2℃ on the 8th (Friday). Very strong winds (maximum instantaneous wind speed of 20 m/s) will blow from the night of the 6th, and wave heights of 2?5 meters are expected at all seas from the night of the 6th.

In response, the province held an initial situation assessment meeting on the afternoon of the 5th to check departmental preparedness and activated a rapid emergency response system.

Jeju Province will maintain an emergency duty system through close cooperation with related agencies and departments according to the ‘Winter Heavy Snow and Cold Wave Disaster Response Plan’ and the ‘Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Working Group Formation and Operation Plan.’

Additionally, the emergency duty system will be activated early in case of an incident to prevent loss of life and property and minimize inconvenience to residents.

Furthermore, a snow removal plan for routes such as mid-mountain roads will be established, with snow removal personnel and equipment deployed from the early morning of the 7th. If mid-mountain roads are closed, public transportation will be rerouted or alternative routes will be urgently deployed.

In particular, active efforts will be made to prevent heavy snow and cold wave damage to agricultural vinyl greenhouses, livestock barns, fisheries facilities, and crops. To prepare for water pipe and meter freezing, publicity to prevent freezing will be strengthened, and rapid response will be ensured through emergency repair teams and emergency water supply support teams.

From the night of the 6th, Jeju Province urged residents and tourists using roads such as the 1100 Road and 5·16 Road to refrain from using private vehicles and to use public transportation. If driving a private vehicle is unavoidable, they should check road control situations and equip winter gear such as chains.

Moreover, they requested thorough prior preparation to prevent damage to facilities such as vinyl greenhouses, livestock barns, fisheries facilities, and water meters, as well as crops, from heavy snow and cold waves. They also asked for preventive activities against fire risks due to increased use of heating devices.

Additionally, winds are expected to gradually strengthen from the night of the 6th, with strong winds reaching a maximum instantaneous speed of 20 m/s expected by early morning on the 7th.

Accordingly, airport users are advised to frequently check flight information. As wave heights will rise to 2?5 meters and a storm warning is expected to be issued, departure bans will be enforced, and ships engaged in navigation or fishing are ordered to comply with instructions to move to safe waters and evacuate.

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