[Extreme Cold Wave①] Seoul Colder Than Moscow, the 'City of Snow'

Seoul Feels Like -20°C While Moscow Is -10°C
Cold Wave Peaks on the 18th, Paju and Chuncheon at -15 to -16°C

Editor's Note[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min, Han Seung-gon] This winter, the strongest cold wave has swept across the country, freezing the entire nation. On the 14th, the perceived temperature in Seoul dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius, bringing severe cold. Even colder temperatures are expected on the 18th and 19th. We analyze the current status and causes of this extreme cold wave, as well as the expressions of the citizens.

Icicles have formed on the Han River in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 14th, as temperatures remain below freezing even during the day amid a severe cold wave. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

In mid-December, the severe cold that has frozen the entire country is expected to peak on Sunday, the 18th.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's mid-term forecast on the 14th, the lowest temperature in Seoul on the 18th is expected to drop to minus 12 degrees Celsius, with biting cold sweeping across the nation. In Gyeonggi-do, Paju and Icheon will see minimum temperatures of minus 16 and minus 15 degrees Celsius, respectively. Chuncheon and Wonju in Gangwon-do will also drop to minus 15 degrees Celsius.

In Jeonbuk, Muju is expected to fall to minus 16 degrees Celsius. Busan, where temperatures will drop to minus 4 degrees Celsius, appears relatively warm in comparison.

While winter cold is a natural weather phenomenon, considering the timing in mid-December, this cold wave is unusual. On the 18th, major regions nationwide are expected to record perceived temperatures below minus 20 degrees Celsius.

An interesting point is that Seoul is colder than Moscow, Russia, which is generally known as a land of snow and ice. Typically, Moscow experiences lower winter temperatures than Seoul. However, due to the strongest cold wave hitting in mid-December, Seoul was colder than Moscow on the 14th.

On the 14th, when the strongest cold wave of this winter arrived, citizens are enjoying reading at the Starfield Library in COEX, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 14th, the perceived temperature in Seoul dropped to minus 20 degrees Celsius, while Moscow's perceived temperature was around minus 10 degrees Celsius. Moscow recorded a minimum temperature of minus 7 degrees Celsius that day, with a perceived temperature close to minus 10 degrees, showing a small difference. The reason Seoul citizens felt especially cold on their way to work was due to the sharp drop in perceived temperature.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's analysis, this cold wave is caused by the weakening of the vortex circulating around the Arctic (negative Arctic Oscillation), which disrupts the cold air surrounding the Arctic and allows it to flow into East Asia. Additionally, a low-pressure system located in eastern Siberia is periodically sending cold air toward Korea, concentrating cold air over the Korean Peninsula.

Park Jeong-min, a forecaster and analyst at the Korea Meteorological Administration, said, "Due to the rapid temperature drop on the 17th and 18th, the lowest temperatures of this winter are expected. There is a possibility that cold wave warnings will be expanded."

Park explained, "This is a natural cold wave caused by the influence of pressure systems, not an abnormal climate phenomenon. The strong vortices surrounding the Arctic are currently weakened, creating conditions for cold air to descend from high latitudes to low latitudes, which is why this cold wave is occurring temporarily."

He added, "Relatively, in late November, the vortices did not descend, so temperatures were considerably higher."

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