With "Ipdong" (the official start of winter) arriving on Saturday, the 7th, freezing temperatures and sub-zero cold swept across various parts of the country. Amid cold wave advisories issued for several regions, morning temperatures in Gangwon’s inland and mountainous areas plunged to -6°C, while Seoul dropped to -1°C. Driven by chilly winds, the real-feel temperature in Seoul fell to -4°C, and Incheon to -5°C. On Sunday the 8th, rain is forecasted for central regions, with snow accumulating in the mountainous areas of Gangwon.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 6th, morning lows nationwide on the 7th ranged from -6 to 5°C, and daytime highs from 8 to 14°C, remaining lower than normal years. Sub-zero cold was centered primarily around the central regions, eastern Jeollabuk-do, and Gyeongsang-do inland areas.

In Seoul, morning lows were expected at -1°C and daytime highs at 9°C. Incheon recorded -1 to 8°C, and Suwon -1 to 9°C. Gangwon inland and mountainous regions, including Daegwallyeong and Taebaek, saw temperatures plummet to -6 to -4°C, whereas Gangwon’s east coast remained relatively higher at 0 to 3°C.

As temperatures were projected to drop 5 to 10°C compared to the previous day, cold wave advisories took effect from 9:00 PM on the 6th. Affected areas included parts of Gyeonggi Province (Gapyeong, western Yangpyeong), Gangwon inland and eastern coastal zones (Cheorwon, Chuncheon, Taebaek), parts of Chungcheongbuk-do (Yeongdong), Jeollanam-do and Gwangju (Boseong, Gwangyang, Jangheung, Gangjin), Gyeongsangbuk-do (Gumi, Pohang, Yeongju), and Gyeongsangnam-do (Hadong, Sancheong, Geochang).

This cold snap was driven by cold air flowing into the Korean Peninsula along a high-pressure system moving southeast from northern China. While skies across the country remained mostly clear on the 7th, strong winds with instantaneous gusts of around 15 m/s blew across most regions until morning. In the mountainous areas of Goseong and Inje in Gangwon, strong gales exceeding 25 m/s were observed.

As temperatures fell, ice and frost formed in central regions, eastern Jeollabuk-do, and Gyeongsang-do inland areas. The daily temperature range between day and night remained wide at 10 to 15°C.

Dryness advisories remained in effect for the flatlands of Goseong, Sokcho, and Yangyang in Gangwon. Strong winds heightened the risk of fires, including wildfires. A gale warning was issued for the distant waters of the middle East Sea, where waves surged up to a maximum height of 5.5m through the night of the 7th. Gale advisories were also issued for the West Sea, South Sea, and Jeju maritime zones.

On Sunday the 8th—the day after Ipdon—rain is forecasted to fall across central regions due to the influence of a trough passing through the northern part. Rain starting in northern Gyeonggi and central-northern Gangwon between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM is expected to expand late afternoon to the Seoul metropolitan area and most parts of Gangwon, and by evening into northern Chungcheong.

Expected precipitation is around 5mm for Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Seohae 5-do, and less than 5mm for Gangwon-do and northern Chungcheong. Rain or snow in Gangwon mountainous regions could result in about 1 cm of snow accumulation. Northeastern Gyeonggi and Gangwon inland and mountainous areas face potential icy road surfaces ("black ice") from freezing rain or snow.

On the 8th, nationwide morning lows are expected to range from -1 to 6°C, and daytime highs from 8 to 16°C. Seoul is projected to see morning lows of 1°C and daytime highs of 10°C, with Incheon at 1 to 8°C and Suwon at 1 to 10°C.

On Monday the 9th, skies will be mostly cloudy across the country before gradually clearing from the morning. However, early dawn rain is expected in the Chungcheong and Jeolla regions, while Jeju will experience rain from dawn to morning.

Morning lows on the 9th will range from -1 to 11°C, and daytime highs from 9 to 16°C. The metropolitan area will remain chilly compared to normal years, with morning lows of -1 to 4°C and daytime highs of 9 to 12°C. This cold wave is expected to persist through the early part of next week before gradually easing from mid-week.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]