It Gets Colder This Weekend... Snow in the Central Region on the 15th

Temperature drops on 16-17th followed by severe cold on 18-19th
Medium-scale low pressure passes on 15th bringing snow to Seoul metropolitan area
2-7cm snowfall expected in inland Gyeonggi, central and southern Gangwon, northern Chungbuk
Heavy snow warnings possible on West Coast and Jeju on 17-18th

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@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Temperatures will drop further over the weekend, with severe cold continuing into early next week. Heavy snowfall is expected mainly in the central regions on the 15th.

On the 14th, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) held a regular forecast briefing and announced that cold wave warnings will be expanded starting from the 17th. The weekend temperatures are expected to fall even lower than today, which was the coldest day so far this year.

Park Jeongmin, a forecast analyst at KMA, explained, "Except for some areas, most cold wave warnings will be lifted tomorrow, and temperatures will temporarily rise on the 15th. However, temperatures will drop sharply on the 16th and 17th, and on the 18th and 19th, the coldest and harshest cold wave of this winter will arrive, with temperatures lower than today."

On the 15th, a medium-sized low-pressure system developing over the Bohai Sea will pass through the central regions, bringing heavy snowfall there. Due to high snow accumulation efficiency, even with a small amount of precipitation, a large amount of snow will accumulate. Coastal areas will have higher temperatures than inland, resulting in significant differences in snowfall amounts between inland and coastal regions.

Expected snowfall amounts are 2?7 cm in inland Gyeonggi, central and southern inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, and northern Chungbuk; 1?5 cm in Seoul, Incheon, western coastal Gyeonggi, northern inland and mountainous Gangwon, Chungnam region, southern Chungbuk, inland Gyeongbuk, Ulleungdo and Dokdo, and the five western islands; and 1?5 cm in northern Jeonbuk and Jeonnam regions until early morning of the 16th.

On the 15th, snow clouds will develop to heights over 3 km, creating larger snow crystal structures and increasing snow accumulation efficiency. Although KMA forecasts 1?5 cm snowfall with ground temperatures near 0 degrees Celsius, if temperatures remain below freezing, snowfall amounts may increase.

Park said, "If the low-pressure system strengthens and ground temperatures stay below freezing, snowfall amounts in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul, may increase. Snow accumulation efficiency may vary depending on temperature fluctuations near the surface along the west coast. Since heavy snow and temperature drops are expected, special attention should be paid to traffic safety."

From the 17th to 18th, heavy snow is expected mainly along the western coasts of Chungnam and Jeolla provinces and Jeju Island. As the cold continental high-pressure system expands and passes over the West Sea, snow clouds will form, and there is a possibility that heavy snow warnings will be issued during this period.

Temperatures will drop sharply over the weekend, recording the lowest temperatures of this winter so far, and very strong winds will blow, leading to strong wind warnings for coastal and island areas. There is also a possibility that high wave warnings will be issued for all seas.

Park forecast analyst said, "Snow clouds formed by very strong winds and cold air will affect Jeju Island as well. If traveling to Jeju over the weekend, it is necessary to check flight information in advance due to the possibility of strong wind warnings and snowfall at Jeju Airport."

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