Jeju Island, Heavy Snow and Strong Winds... Air Travel Virtually 'Paralyzed'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Due to continuous strong winds and heavy snowfall, air and sea routes connecting Jeju with other regions were blocked, and roads in various locations were closed on the 23rd.

According to the Jeju Regional Meteorological Administration, a heavy snow warning is currently in effect for the mountainous and mid-mountain areas of Jeju Island, while a heavy snow advisory is issued for other areas. Additionally, a strong wind advisory is in place across all land areas of Jeju Island, and a storm warning (storm advisory for the southern coastal waters) has been issued for the sea.

As of 4 p.m., significant snowfall has accumulated on Hallasan Mountain, with 86.5 cm at Sajaebi, 72.5 cm at Samgakbong, and 52.4 cm at Eorimok. Other snowfall measurements include 31.7 cm at Gasiri, 21.5 cm at Typhoon Center, 10.3 cm at Songdang, 9.6 cm at Yusuam, and 5.4 cm at Jungmun.

Due to the heavy snow special warning in the mountainous area, all access to Hallasan Mountain has been completely restricted. Furthermore, traffic control is being enforced on various roads due to snow accumulation and ice formation.

As of 4:30 p.m., vehicle traffic has been restricted on the mountain road 1100 connecting Jeju City and Seogwipo City, specifically the sections from Chuksan Promotion Institute to Norusaengi Samgeori, Eoseungsaeng Samgeori, Eorimok Entrance, 1100 Highland Rest Area, and Gutamra Intersection, as well as the entire sections of routes 516 and Seoseong-ro.

On the entire first Sanrok Road, large vehicles must be equipped with winter gear to operate, while small vehicles are prohibited from driving. On Hanchang-ro, the second Sanrok Road, Myeongnim-ro, Cheomdan-ro, the entire sections of Jung-sankan West Road from Sangchang to Hoisu, and Noksan-ro from Gasiri to Jeongseok Airfield, both large and small vehicles must have winter equipment to operate.

On the entire Namjo-ro and Bijarim-ro, as well as the Aejo-ro section from Myeongdoam Intersection to Yeondong Intersection and Jung-sankan West Road from Musucheon to Aewol, small vehicles must be equipped with winter gear to operate.

Flights departing from and arriving at Jeju Airport were virtually all halted on this day, continuing from the previous day.

Out of 474 scheduled flights (233 departures, 241 arrivals), 468 flights were canceled or suspended, excluding 2 international flights. The remaining 4 flights are also expected to face difficulties operating.

Currently, strong wind and sudden wind change advisories are in effect at Jeju Airport. Due to deteriorating marine weather, sea routes have also been cut off.

According to the Korea Maritime Transportation Safety Authority Jeju Operation Management Center, all passenger ferry operations between Jeju and other regions were suspended due to the storm warning.

The Meteorological Administration forecasts rain or snow in Jeju until the 24th, with low temperatures and strong winds making it very cold.

In particular, from the evening of this day until the morning of the 24th, strong snowfall of about 2 to 3 cm per hour is expected intermittently in some areas.

Expected snowfall amounts from this day until the 24th are 5 to 10 cm in mountainous areas (with some places exceeding 15 cm), 5 to 10 cm in mid-mountain areas, and 2 to 7 cm along the coast. Additionally, wind gusts are expected to exceed 20 m/s, with mountainous areas experiencing around 25 m/s, and waves at sea are forecasted to reach heights of 2 to 5 meters, creating very rough conditions.

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