[Weather Tomorrow] Fine Dust in Seoul Metropolitan Area to Reach 'Bad' Level Tomorrow... Impact from China Wildfires

Coal Power Plant Output Limited to 80%
Wildfire Near Liaoning Province in China Spurs Fine Dust

The Namsan Tower, viewed from the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, appears hazy on the 16th due to fine dust concentrations reaching poor levels. Photo by Yonhap News

On Tuesday, the 17th, fine dust concentrations are expected to be high, particularly in the Seoul metropolitan area and Chungnam.

According to a forecast by the National Institute of Environmental Research at 5 p.m. on the 16th, fine dust levels are expected to reach 'bad' levels on the 17th in the Seoul metropolitan area, Yeongseo in Gangwon, Chungcheong, and Honam. In other regions where the levels are usually 'normal,' Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam are also expected to experience 'bad' levels from morning to late afternoon. Due to the dry conditions and significant dust in the atmosphere, some areas may experience haze (dust fog) during the day.

In the Seoul metropolitan area and Chungnam, an 'attention' level ultrafine dust crisis alert was issued at 5 p.m. on the 16th. Emergency reduction measures for ultrafine dust will be implemented from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the 17th. This crisis alert was issued because the daily average ultrafine dust concentration exceeded 50㎍/㎥ by 4 p.m. on the 16th, and it is expected to exceed 50㎍/㎥ again on the 17th.

Under the emergency reduction measures, three coal-fired power generators in Incheon will be operated with their output limited to 80%. Additional measures include adjusting the operating rates of facilities that emit large amounts of fine dust, implementing dust suppression measures at construction sites, and enforcing a two-shift vehicle operation system for administrative and public institutions.

On the 15th, when the fine particulate matter concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and other regions reached 'Unhealthy' levels, the view of Seoul city from Namsan in Seoul was hazy. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The high concentration of fine dust is attributed to a wildfire that broke out near Liaoning Province in China on the 14th. The fine dust generated by this wildfire has been carried into Korea by northerly winds since the previous day.

The National Institute of Environmental Research explained that, for most of the central region and the southwestern area, residual fine dust from the previous day will remain until the morning of the 17th, and additional dust generated domestically will accumulate, causing high concentrations. From the afternoon, the impact of the Liaoning wildfire is expected to further increase the concentration of fine dust.

As temperatures drop overnight, condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere will cause dense fog in inland areas of Chungcheong and Honam from early morning, reducing visibility to less than 200 meters. In other inland regions, fog will also keep visibility below 1 kilometer. In some areas, fog may freeze and create black ice on the roads, so caution is advised.

Nationwide, the morning low on the 17th is expected to range from -3 to 8 degrees Celsius, and the daytime high from 12 to 18 degrees Celsius. The expected minimum and maximum temperatures for major cities are: Seoul 2°C and 15°C, Incheon 1°C and 12°C, Daejeon 1°C and 16°C, Gwangju 3°C and 18°C, Daegu 4°C and 17°C, Ulsan 5°C and 14°C, and Busan 8°C and 16°C.

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