The Whole Country is 'Freezing' Cold Until the Weekend

Heavy Snow Warnings in Parts of Chungnam and Jeonbuk, Cold Wave Warning in Gangwon
Morning Temperatures as Low as -17°C on the 9th... Relief Starting from the 11th
Ministry of the Interior Urges Agencies to "Respond to Cold Wave"
Seoul City Issues Warning for Water Meter Freezing

Severe cold temperatures hovering below freezing even at midday will bring heavy snowfall to the central and southern regions. The cold is expected to gradually ease from the daytime of the 11th.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety on the 8th, a heavy snow warning was issued for some areas in Chungnam and Jeonbuk in the morning, and a cold wave warning was issued for the Gangwon area. In addition, strong winds are blowing. The daytime high temperature will rise from minus 3 degrees to 9 degrees Celsius, but on the 9th, when the cold reaches its peak, the highest temperature will be between minus 10 and minus 3 degrees Celsius, making it cold even during the day. The morning temperature on the 9th is forecasted to drop to minus 18 degrees Celsius, and the wind chill temperature in Seoul is expected to reach minus 20 degrees Celsius.

On the morning of the 7th, when the temperature dropped below minus 5 degrees Celsius, commuters dressed in thick clothing were passing through the Sejongno intersection in Seoul. Photo by Heo Young-han

The sudden severe cold landing on the Korean Peninsula is expected to gradually subside around the 11th. A Korea Meteorological Administration official said, "The east-west pressure system flow in the upper atmosphere has slowed down slightly, causing cold air from the north to descend southward, starting the cold spell," and added, "Temperatures will gradually recover to normal levels from the daytime of the 11th."

In preparation for the severe cold, the government and local governments are ordering thorough readiness. Acting Minister of the Interior and Safety, Ko Ki-dong, at the 'Heavy Snow and Cold Wave Countermeasure Meeting,' urged, "Please make every effort in snow removal work to prevent accidents caused by road icing and traffic congestion during commuting hours," and added, "Please carefully check the safety of vulnerable groups to the cold such as homeless people and residents of jjokbangchon (small room villages), and ensure thorough operation of cold protection facilities."

The Seoul Metropolitan Government issued the first water meter 'freeze warning' stage of this winter starting at 9 a.m. on the 9th. The freeze warning stage corresponds to the third stage of the four-stage freeze forecast system and is issued when the daily minimum temperature remains below minus 10 degrees Celsius for two or more consecutive days. Following the issuance of the warning stage, the city will operate the 'Freeze Damage Countermeasure Situation Room' 24 hours a day from the 9th to quickly restore freeze damage. The city plans to prepare for emergency freeze repairs together with eight waterworks offices and the Seoul Facilities Corporation.

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