A warm weekend will suddenly turn cold with a sharp drop in temperatures due to a chilly northwesterly wind. The wind chill will make it feel even colder, with heavy gusts across the country. By the 5th, Jeju Island could see over 40 cm of snow, and areas like the western coast of North Jeolla and inland southern regions might expect up to 25 cm.
As of the 3rd, which marks the start of spring in the traditional calendar, a severe cold wave has hit. Temperatures were notably warmer than average over the weekend, but now they’ve plummeted to 3-10 degrees below normal, making the cold feel even harsher.
Jeju and Honam regions will experience significant snowfall over the next three days. Morning temperatures fell to -4.8℃ in Seoul, -4.9℃ in Incheon, -1.7℃ in Daejeon, and remained slightly above zero in places like Gwangju, Daegu, Ulsan, and Busan. In northern Gyeonggi and inland/mountainous areas of Gangwon, temperatures dropped below -10℃. The influence of a continental anticyclone from northern China is bringing down temperatures as cold northwesterly winds blow in.
Daytime highs will range between -4℃ and 5℃ with no respite from the cold. Many central regions, including Seoul, will remain below freezing throughout the day. Strong winds with gusts over 55 km/h will enhance the cold, making it feel like -7℃ in Seoul during the day. Coastal areas, mountains, and Jeju could experience gusts exceeding 70 km/h (up to 90 km/h in mountainous regions). A wind warning has been issued for the west coast of Chungnam and Jeolla.
The severe cold is expected to persist until the 5th, with morning temperatures dropping 5-10 degrees lower than the 3rd, going below -10℃ in most areas. Daytime temperatures will also decrease by 2-5 degrees, remaining below freezing nationwide.
Alongside the cold, abundant snowfall is expected in Jeju and Honam regions. From the 3rd, Jeju will receive rain and snow, while Honam and the west coast of Chungnam will see snow starting late afternoon and evening. Precipitation will continue in these areas until the day after tomorrow. Between the afternoon and night of the 5th, snow is also expected inland in northern Chungnam, central and southern Chungbuk, and western Gyeongnam.
Cold winds moving over the relatively warm West Sea form clouds that will lead to substantial snowfall. From the morning of the 3rd in Jeju and early morning of the 4th in the west coast of Chungnam, Jeonbuk, and western Jeonnam, snowfall at a rate of 1-3 cm per hour is expected, and a heavy snow warning may be issued.
Predicted snowfall through the 5th includes 10-30 cm in the mountainous areas of Jeju (up to 40 cm), 5-20 cm on the west coast of Jeonbuk, inland southern Jeonbuk, and northwest Jeonnam (with up to 25 cm in some parts), and varying amounts in other regions. Ulleungdo and Dokdo could also see 10-40 cm of snow.
Precipitation amounts are predicted to be 10-40 mm in Jeju, Ulleungdo, and Dokdo, and varying lesser amounts in other regions. Across most seas, winds between 30-70 km/h will create high waves, reaching 1.5-4.0 meters, possibly exceeding 5 meters. The far East Sea will see gusts, thunder, and lightning, so caution is advised for maritime travel.
Swells from the East Sea are predicted to hit from the night of the 3rd, potentially impacting sea walls and coastal roads. People are advised to avoid the coast for safety.