A man tries to pick an icicle formed around the embankment of Hangang Citizen Park in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. The mercury fell to 9.2 degrees Celsius below zero, the lowest this winter.
/ Korea Times Photo by Park Seo-gang |
By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
Seoul recorded its lowest temperature this winter of 9.2 degrees Celsius below zero early Wednesday morning. In the afternoon, the temperature was four degrees below. It is likely that the cold spell will persist until next week, according to Korea's top weather agency Wednesday.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said that most of the country experienced sub-zero temperatures except for Jeju Island and islets off South Jeolla Province. The temperature in the mountainous regions of Gangwon Province dropped to -15.3 degrees Celsius.
Commuters in Seoul were seen wearing extra layers Wednesday morning as the actual temperature felt by citizens was expected to be around -14 degrees. Seoul has been experiencing a series of temperature lows. On Tuesday, it was -7.5 degrees.
"The cold spell is likely to continue for the time being, as we are expecting an inflow of cold air from the Northwestern region," an official with the KMA said. "We are also expecting a lot of wind, so citizens will continue to feel that the weather is colder than it actually is."
The temperature in Seoul is likely to be even lower Friday, as the KMA forecast that it could drop to -10 degrees. The sub-zero temperature will continue until next week. On Thursday, the lowest temperature in Seoul is expected to be -9 degrees.
Authorities expect that the weather in Seoul will get warmer and the temperature should reach around -2 degrees next Wednesday.
Citizens will continue to experience sub-zero temperatures even in the afternoons for the time being.
On Thursday and Friday, the afternoon temperature in Seoul is expected to be -5 degrees - it is expected to be slightly warmer Saturday.
A similar sub-zero range is expected for the central region and the southern inland areas of the peninsula. Weather forecasts are indicating that the west coast region is expected to experience snowfall over the next few days.
Some parts of the Chungcheong and South Jeolla provinces, and Jeju Island are likely to have snow as early as Wednesday night, the KMA said.
The weather agency issued an advance snow alert for Thursday morning in the areas of Boryeong and Seocheon, South Chungcheong Province; Gunsan, Buan and Geochang, North Jeolla Province; and Hampyeong, South Jeolla Province.
Strong winds are expected to sweep through the southern coastal regions from Friday through Sunday.
Authorities said that the cold spell could begin to subside next Monday.
The KMA also issued an alert for dry air in the eastern coastal region, Seoul, and Gyeonggi and North Chungcheong provinces, warning local authorities about the possibility of fires.
jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr
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