No 'Suneung Cold Wave' This Year... "Clear Skies and Large Temperature Differences, Wear Multiple Thin Layers"

Clear skies nationwide on the 16th and 17th, dense fog inland
Seoul's lowest morning temperature 5°C and highest daytime temperature 15°C on Suneung day
Colder than Jeonju but temperatures higher than average

On the 18th, the day of the 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test, examinees are entering the exam hall at Yeouido Girls' High School in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The day before and the day of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) are expected to be mostly clear nationwide. While there will be no severe cold wave at the level of the 'CSAT cold snap,' the large temperature difference between day and night requires careful temperature regulation.

On the 14th, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) held a forecast briefing and announced that on the 16th and 17th, under the influence of high pressure, the weather will be mostly clear nationwide with large temperature differences between day and night. During the early morning and dawn, surface temperatures will drop, raising the possibility of fog in inland areas.

Park Jung-min, a forecast analyst at the KMA, explained, "The characteristic of low temperatures in the morning and higher temperatures during the day results in a large temperature difference, so special attention should be paid to health management. Test-takers are advised to wear several thin layers of clothing and adjust their clothes according to temperature changes throughout the day to maintain good condition."

The temperature in Seoul is expected to be a low of 5°C and a high of 14°C on the morning and daytime of the 16th, and 5°C in the morning and 15°C during the day on the 17th. The temperature on the CSAT day is higher than the average (2.4°C low, 10.5°C high). However, since temperatures were maintained high last week due to warm air but dropped over the weekend due to cold air, it may feel relatively cold.

The morning low and daytime high temperatures on the CSAT day in major cities are as follows: Gangneung 7°C, 18°C ▲ Seoul 5°C, 15°C ▲ Suwon 4°C, 16°C ▲ Cheongju 4°C, 16°C ▲ Daejeon 3°C, 16°C ▲ Daegu 4°C, 17°C ▲ Jeonju 5°C, 17°C ▲ Gwangju 5°C, 18°C ▲ Busan 9°C, 18°C ▲ Jeju 11°C, 18°C.

On the 17th, the day of the 2023 College Scholastic Ability Test, the temperatures and perceived temperatures in major cities. The areas marked in blue indicate the perceived temperatures. (Data provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration)

The 'CSAT cold snap,' a sudden drop in temperature around the CSAT, has actually occurred twice in the past 10 years. Analyzing the weather on CSAT days over the last decade, cold wave warnings were issued in 2014 and 2019. Based on the central region, the years when the minimum temperature dropped below freezing were 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2020. These years were also characterized by minimum temperatures more than 5°C lower, strong winds, and low wind chill, making it feel cold.

Although the CSAT date has varied each year, the weather in major cities around November 17, the date of this year's CSAT, showed temperature distributions generally similar to the average except for 2017. This year’s temperatures are relatively higher compared to the past 10-year average.

The KMA also operates a page where you can check the weather and temperatures at CSAT test sites. On the main page of WeatherNuri, by clicking 'Test Site Forecast' and searching for the test site name, you can check the weather for that area.

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