A severe cold spell hit Korea Wednesday morning with the lowest temperature of the winter recorded in Seoul and the authorities issuing a cold wave watch in most parts of the nation.
Following heavy snow on Tuesday afternoon, the temperature in the capital city dived to minus 13.9 C early Wednesday morning, the Korea Meteorological Administration said, noting the wind-chill temperature could drop as low as minus 21 C.
The weather authorities issued a cold wave watch over Seoul and its surrounding areas, while placing the mountainous province of Gangwon, east of Seoul, under the one-notch higher alert of cold wave warning.
Temperatures in some cities of Gangwon Province, close to the border with North Korea, plummeted as low as 21.1 C on Wednesday morning, the agency noted.
The cold snap is forecast to turn more intense later this week, with the mercury in Seoul expected to further plunge to minus 16 C Thursday morning, the agency forecast.
"The temperatures dropped by more than five degrees this morning from yesterday as continental anticyclone expanded," an official at the weather agency said. "Tomorrow will be colder but the temperatures may turn around to gain ground starting Friday."
Heavy snow and ice from Tuesday evening, meanwhile, disrupted traffic in the capital region during Wednesday's morning rush hours, causing commuters to flock to public transportation. (Yonhap)