Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
White Christmas unlikely
People walk by a Christmas tree set up in Seoul's shopping district of Myeong-dong, Friday, two days ahead of Christmas Day. Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
By Lee Hyo-jin
Chances are slim for Korea to see a white Christmas this year, according to the latest forecast from the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), which predicts sunny, frigid weather on the holiday.
Friday's heavy snowfall which blanketed the western coastal regions, including the Chungcheong provinces, Jeolla provinces and Jeju Island, is expected to continue until the morning of Christmas Eve, which falls on Saturday. Inland regions may see up to 15 centimeters of snow, while the mountainous regions of Jeju may receive up to 30 centimeters.
With no precipitation expected for Sunday, Christmas Day will be sunny and freezing, as the ongoing cold snap is likely to persist until the year-end, said the state weather agency.
Amid the nationwide cold spell, the morning low plummeted to minus 13.7 degrees Celsius in Seoul on Friday, the coldest weather so far this season. Temperatures in the interior and mountainous regions of Gangwon Province were even lower, at minus 20.2 and minus 26.3 degrees, respectively.
Seoul's morning low on Christmas Eve will be minus 13 degrees, but the wind chill will make it feel as cold as minus 27 degrees. The freezing weather will not warm up on Christmas Day.
The mercury may rise slightly next week, but colder-than-usual temperatures will continue through the year end, the KMA predicted.
The authorities warned of traffic disruptions, bursting water pipes and other problems caused by the continued freezing temperatures.