[News Terms] The Year's First Issued 'Cold Wave Warning'

A 'Cold Wave Warning' is a weather advisory issued by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) when cold air flows in and a sudden drop in temperature is expected in a certain area. In winter, two types of warnings are issued: heavy snow warnings and cold wave warnings. To raise awareness, a cautionary advisory is issued, and when significant damage is expected, an alert is issued.

The cold wave advisory and cold wave alert issued by the KMA are announced when the minimum temperature the next morning is expected to drop sharply compared to the previous day. Once the cold eases and temperatures rise, the cold wave warning for the affected area is lifted.

Citizens commuting to work after a cold wave warning was issued last January.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

A cold wave advisory is issued from October to April when one of the following three conditions is met: the morning minimum temperature drops by 10℃ or more compared to the previous day to 3℃ or below and is expected to be 3℃ lower than the average; or the morning minimum temperature is expected to remain at -12℃ or below for two or more consecutive days; or when a sudden cold phenomenon is expected to cause significant damage in some or widespread areas.

A cold wave alert is issued when one of the following three conditions is met: the morning minimum temperature drops by 15℃ or more compared to the previous day to 3℃ or below and is expected to be 3℃ lower than the average; or the morning minimum temperature is expected to remain at -15℃ or below for two or more consecutive days; or when a sudden cold phenomenon is expected to cause significant damage in some or widespread areas.

When a cold wave advisory or cold wave alert is issued, the sudden drop in temperature may worsen conditions related to the heart, blood vessels, and respiratory system. Therefore, households should pay close attention to heating.

On the 6th at 11 a.m., the KMA announced that cold wave warnings would be issued for the northeastern part of Seoul, Taebaek, northern, central, and southern mountainous areas of Gangwon Province, and the northeastern mountainous area of Gyeongbuk Province. The warnings announced that day will take effect from 9 p.m.

Cold wave advisories were issued for the northeastern part of Seoul, including Dobong-gu, Nowon-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, Jungnang-gu, Seongdong-gu, and Gwangjin-gu, as well as the northwestern part of Seoul, including Eunpyeong-gu, Jongno-gu, Mapo-gu, Seodaemun-gu, Jung-gu, and Yongsan-gu. Along with Seoul, cold wave advisories were also issued for Dongducheon, Yeoncheon, Pocheon, Gapyeong, Goyang, Yangju, Uijeongbu, Paju, Guri, Namyangju, Yongin, Icheon, Yeoju, Gwangju, and Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province; Goseong Plain, Yeongwol, Pyeongchang Plain, Jeongseon Plain, Hoengseong, Wonju, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Hongcheon Plain, Chuncheon, Yanggu Plain, and Inje Plain in Gangwon Province; Jecheon and Danyang in Chungbuk Province; and Yeongju and Bonghwa Plain in Gyeongbuk Province.

Cold wave alerts were issued for Taebaek in Gangwon Province, northern, central, and southern mountainous areas of Gangwon Province, and the northeastern mountainous area of Gyeongbuk Province.

The KMA warned that from the afternoon, cold winds will blow strongly, causing morning temperatures on the 7th to drop by up to 10 to 15 degrees. Morning temperatures in Seoul and the metropolitan area will be around 5 degrees, and in northern Gyeonggi Province, temperatures will drop to around 0 degrees, making it very cold. They urged people to take care of their health.

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