Cold Winter Is Close at Hand

As Seoul`s morning lows will drop to minus 4 Celsius this morning, a full-fledged cold weather seems to have set in. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) announced yesterday that "although most parts of the nation will be clear, it will be cold today as temperatures drop due to continental high pressure. South and North Jeolla Provinces, as well as Ulleung and Dok Island, can expect some snow and rain."

According to the KMA, morning lows this morning will be minus 8 C in Chulwon and Daekwanryung, minus 6 C in Choonchun and Choongjoo, minus 5 C in Chungjoo, minus 4 C in Suwon and Daejeon, minus 3 C in Incheon and Junjoo, minus 2 C in Kwangjoo, and minus 1 in Kangreung.

It was forecasted that the mercury of most parts of the nation will remain below zero, as morning lows will be minus 10 C in Daekwanryung and minus 5 C in Seoul tomorrow morning.

A KMA official said, "This cold weather signals the beginning of a real winter. People may need to hurry the preparation for winter such as kimchi-making for winter."

This cold weather will continue for a while, but is anticipated to maintain the temperature in an average year as temperatures will rise this weekend.

Young-A Soh sya@donga.com