Nation hit with blistering cold snap after Christmas

Pedestrians cover their heads as cold wind blows around Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The weather agency on Friday issued a cold wave alert across the majority of the country as temperatures dropped to the lowest point this season.

The morning temperature stood at minus 10 degrees Celsius — the coldest this season — with the apparent temperature dropping to around minus 20 degrees Celsius due to wind chill as cold air descended from the northwest, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

Cold wave warnings have been issued for northern parts of Gyeonggi Province that surrounds the capital and the eastern province of Gangwon, marking the first such warnings this season.

The daily highs are expected to reach minus 7 to plus 4 degrees Celsius, with temperatures rising to minus 4 degrees Celsius in Seoul, minus 5 degrees Celsius in the western port city of Incheon and 2 degrees Celsius in the southeastern city of Busan.

The cold spell is forecast to last until Saturday morning.

Snow or rain is expected to fall this morning on coastal areas of North Jeolla Province, parts of South Jeolla Province and the southern resort island of Jeju.

Jeju is forecast to receive 5 to 10 millimeters of rain, while 1 to 5 centimeters of snow is expected to fall on coastal areas of South Jeolla.