Formation of precipitation zone between two different high-pressure systems
Possibility of snow advisories expanding to inland areas including the Seoul metropolitan area
Freezing rain may lead to icy roads ‘red alert’, ‘[Edaily Reporter Lee Young-min] This weekend, temperatures across the country will gradually rise to around 10 degrees during the day, but will become chilly again starting on the 2nd. Rain will begin in the southern regions on the 2nd and spread across the country with snow and rain from the 3rd to the 4th.’,
On the 24th, heavy snow advisories were issued in mountainous and some mid-mountain areas of Jeju Island, creating a spectacle as snow accumulated in the Ahnenah-hoeng Valley in Haean-dong, Jeju City. (Photo = Yonhap News Agency)
The Korea Meteorological Administration announced on the 27th in its regular forecast briefing that mild weather would continue over the weekend, but significant amounts of snow or rain are expected mainly in the mountains of Gangwon-do and Gyeongbuk after the March 1st Movement Day. According to the meteorological agency, a cold continental anticyclone is moving out to the southeast of the Korean Peninsula, and a pressure system conducive to moisture inflow is appearing in the vacant space. From this day until the 28th, rain is expected to fall on Jeju Island between 5-10mm, and less than 5mm in other southern regions.
On March 1st, a precipitation zone will develop between the warm high-pressure system in the south and the expanding continental high-pressure system from the north. On the following days, from the 2nd to the 3rd, a low-pressure system will move between the two high-pressure systems, expanding the precipitation area across the country. Significant snowfall is expected in the mountains of northeastern Gyeongbuk and Gangwon-do where cold air is expected to flow in.
The most intense snowfall is anticipated between the night of the 2nd and the morning of the 3rd. During this time, the possibility exists for rain to turn into snow even in inland areas, including the metropolitan area, due to small temperature changes. If moisture continues to flow into the Korean Peninsula through east winds until the 5th, more than 50cm of heavy snowfall might occur in the Yeongdong area of Gangwon-do and northeastern Gyeongbuk.
Safety precautions are needed in central and southern regions where snow does not fall. On March 1st, expected precipitation is relatively low, at 5-20mm in the central region and 5-10mm in the southern region. However, the temperature drop from the 2nd to the 4th could lead to rain freezing on roads, causing black ice. The anticipated precipitation is expected to be wet and heavy as it borders between snow and rain due to the temperature.
A meteorological agency official emphasized that with expected increased traffic during the holidays, drivers must exercise caution as braking distances on icy roads increase significantly. Guidance was also given to be wary of rockfalls and ice break-offs due to the temperature rising above 10 degrees from midday and larger temperature swings.
After the 3rd, temperatures are expected to be similar to or slightly colder than normal. The dry weather advisory in effect across most of the country, excluding parts of Chungcheong and Jeolla, will gradually be lifted after the rain.