Sub-zero temps. to chill nation tomorrow

Cold weather is prevailing around the country. Seoul's low temperature on Wednesday will drop to minus 12 degrees Centigrade, the lowest this winter.

The cold weather might ease over the weekend with rain or snow in some areas. However, the bitter cold is expected to resume Jan. 8.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecast Jan. 2 that Wednesday's low temperature would slide to 2-18 degrees below freezing throughout the country, affected by the cold continental high pressure. Also, the day's high will be between minus-9 minus-6 degrees. In particular, the weather service anticipates that the wind chill will drop further with the strong wind.

The low temperature in Cholwon will be 18 degrees below zero Jan. 3, while that of Chunchon might drop to minus 16, Seoul and Suwon to minus 12, Taejon minus 9, Chonju to minus 7, Kwangju minus 6, Taegu to minus 4 and Pusan to minus 2. Most areas of the nation, except Cheju Island, which will remain at 3 degrees, will fall into freezing weather.

Southern Kyonggi and mountain areas of Chungchong, Honam and Yongnam have a 30-40 percent chance of snow.