'Heavy Snow Warning' Controls Major Mountain Roads in Jeju... Flight Disruptions Also Expected

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Choi] On the 18th, heavy snowfall in Jeju Island has led to the closure of major mountain roads and disruptions to flights.

The Jeju Regional Meteorological Office issued a heavy snow advisory for the entire Jeju Island at 8 p.m. the previous day, and at 6 a.m. on the 18th, a heavy snow warning was issued for the mountainous and southern mid-mountain areas of Jeju Island. The rest of the regions remain under a heavy snow advisory.

As of 6 a.m., the snowfall amounts recorded were 41.6 cm at Hallasan Samgakbong, 28.1 cm at Sajebi, 10.3 cm at Gasiri, 5.5 cm at Seogwipo, 5.3 cm at Jeju City Sancheondan, and 4.7 cm at Seogwipo Jungmun.

Hallasan hiking trails are currently completely closed. The mountain road 1100 connecting Jeju City and Seogwipo City, from Eoseungsaeng Samgeori to the old Tamna University intersection, is closed to both large and small vehicles. All vehicles are prohibited on the entire Seoseong-ro, and only large vehicles equipped with chains can operate on the 516 road section from Jeju University intersection to the entrance of Seoseong-ro Samgeori. On Pyeonghwa-ro and Bijarim-ro from Myeongdoam entrance to the 516 road intersection, as well as the entire first and second Sanrok roads, small vehicles must be equipped with winter gear to operate.

Since 10 p.m. on the 17th, Jeju Airport, which was under a wind shear and strong wind warning, experienced additional weather issues at other airports, resulting in the cancellation of 10 domestic flights as of 6 a.m. on the 18th. Amid some flight cancellations, a high wave advisory was issued for the sea, causing four ferry services connecting Jeju, Jindo, and Sangchujado to be canceled.

The Meteorological Office forecasted, "Due to cloud bands formed by the temperature difference between cold air over the West Sea and the warm sea surface, snowfall will continue in some areas until the morning of the 19th," adding, "Strong snowfall of 3 to 5 cm per hour is expected mainly in mountainous areas, with very heavy snowfall exceeding 30 cm."

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