With more than 16 cm of snow piling up in Seoul, the city has recorded its highest November snowfall since modern meteorological observations began in 1907?marking a new record in 117 years.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, as of 10 a.m. on the 27th, the maximum daily snowfall measured at the Seoul Meteorological Observatory in Jongno-gu was 16.5 cm, recorded at 7 a.m. Maximum daily snowfall refers to the greatest depth of snow accumulated in a single day.

The previous record for maximum daily snowfall in November in Seoul was 12.4 cm, set on November 28, 1972. This means about 4 cm more snow fell compared to the previous record. Excluding November, the highest snowfall ever recorded in Seoul was on March 24, 1922, when the maximum daily snowfall reached 31.0 cm.

By district, as of 7 a.m., Seongbuk-gu and Gangbuk-gu saw 20.6 cm and 20.4 cm of snow, respectively. Other districts with more than 10 cm of snowfall included Seodaemun-gu (17.2 cm), Dobong-gu (16.4 cm), Eunpyeong-gu (16.0 cm), Mapo-gu (14.1 cm), Gwanak-gu (12.2 cm), Dongdaemun-gu (12.0 cm), and Nowon-gu (11.4 cm).

The rare heavy snowfall in Seoul is attributed to the influence of a cut-off low pressure system located north of the Korean Peninsula. A cut-off low forms when part of the upper-level jet stream, which usually blocks cold Arctic air, becomes separated. This system carries cold Arctic air, resulting in very low temperatures and atmospheric instability.

While some areas may see a temporary lull in snowfall, snow clouds from the West Sea are expected to continue bringing snow through the morning of the 28th. Precipitation is forecast to persist until the afternoon of the 28th in central and southern inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon and in northern Gyeongsangbuk-do, until late night of the 28th in southern Gyeonggi, and until late night of the 29th in Chungcheong, Honam, and Jeju.

As cold air flows in from the northwest, temperatures are expected to drop sharply. On the morning of the 28th, the lowest temperature is forecast to be minus 5 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs ranging from 3 to 12 degrees. On the 29th, temperatures are expected to fall to as low as minus 8 degrees Celsius.

The Korea Meteorological Administration advised, "With strong winds making it feel even colder, please take extra care of your health as immunity may weaken due to the rapid temperature changes."

On the morning of the 27th, when heavy snow fell, Kim Donggeun, mayor of Uijeongbu, was clearing snow in front of E-Mart Uijeongbu to ensure pedestrian safety during the commuting hours. Provided by Uijeongbu City

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On the early morning of the 27th, when heavy snow fell throughout Seoul, officials of a building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, were conducting snow removal work. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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On the 27th, when a heavy snowfall of up to 20cm fell in Seoul, a citizen visiting Namsan in Jung-gu, Seoul, captured the first snow on their mobile phone. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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On the 27th, when a heavy snowfall of up to 20cm fell in Seoul, citizens and tourists visiting Namsan in Jung-gu, Seoul, enjoyed the winter scenery as they walked along the snowy paths. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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On the 27th, when a heavy snowfall of up to 20cm fell in Seoul, citizens and tourists visiting Namsan in Jung-gu, Seoul, enjoyed the winter scenery while walking on the snowy paths. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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On the 27th, when a heavy snowfall of up to 20cm fell in Seoul, people visiting Namsan in Jung-gu, Seoul, enjoyed the winter scenery as they walked along the snowy paths. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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On the 27th, when a heavy snowfall of up to 20cm fell in Seoul, foreign tourists visiting the Namsan Observatory in Jung-gu, Seoul, were taking commemorative photos. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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On the 27th, when heavy snowfall reaching 20cm fell in Seoul, a citizen visiting Namsan Observatory in Jung-gu, Seoul, is making a snow duck. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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On the 27th, when a heavy snowfall of up to 20cm fell in Seoul, Namsan and downtown Seoul viewed from Namsan N Tower in Jung-gu, Seoul are covered with white snow. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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On the morning of the 27th, in Soya-ri, Deokjeok-myeon, Ongjin-gun, Incheon, where a heavy snow warning was issued, Ongjin-gun officials are conducting snow removal work using vehicles. Photo by Yonhap News

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On the morning of the 27th, Park Heeyoung, mayor of Yongsan District, is performing snow removal work on the pedestrian walkway in front of Yongsan Library. Photo by Yongsan District Office

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On the 27th, when a heavy snowfall of up to 20cm occurred in Seoul, snow piled up thickly on the maple trees in Namsan, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

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