Cold wave to push mercury in Seoul to minus 10 ¡ÆC

A bitter cold wave will grip the nation Friday, plunging temperatures in areas north of Chungchong Province to minus 10 ¡ÆC. Meteorologists forecast Thursday that the morning low in Chorwon would could reach minus 20 ¡ÆC.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) also said that Kyonggi, Chungchong and Kangwon provinces would see light snow from Friday night until Saturday morning.

It was forecast that morning lows would reach minus 10 ¡ÆC in Seoul, Taejon and Kangnung, minus 17 ¡ÆC in Chunchon, minus 6 ¡ÆC in Chonju and minus 4 ¡ÆC in Taegu, roughly 4 ¡ÆC lower than in previous years.

The mercury will remain below the freezing point even during the day in central areas, including Seoul, whose daytime high will be minus 1 ¡ÆC. Temperatures will be slightly higher than those on the previous day.

A KMA official said that the nation would see mostly sunny days Friday under a cold continental high pressure system but would see clouds and snow late in the day under a low pressure trough passing the northern region. According to the KMA, the cold spell will begin to retreat from Saturday, pushing temperatures in Seoul to minus 5 ¡ÆC.

Kim Joon-Seok kjs359@donga.com