Spring Season to Come Earlier This Year

This year people will be able to see the colors of spring earlier than in previous years.

˝Since the mercury is about 1.3 degrees higher this February, we will see spring flowers such as azaleas and wild lilies about 5 days earlier than in previous years,˝ the Korea Meteorological Administration said on Thursday.

The agency, however, noted that the blooming season would be 4 or 5 days later than last year, when the season came much earlier.

Jeju Island, where flowers first appear on the Korean peninsula, will show off its first azaleas around March 13, some 11 days earlier than usual, and wild lilies will spring up around March 12, six days earlier.

Given that spring flowers reach their peak a week after blooming, Seoguipo will be able to see full-blown wild lilies and azaleas on around March 19 and 20 respectively.

Azalea and wild lilies buds will first appear on March 24 and 25 in Seoul and be in full-bloom on March 31 and April 1, the KMA forecasted.

˝Cherry blossoms, the true flower of spring, blooming depends on the weather in early March,˝ said an official at the KMA. ˝They normally bloom around March 27 in Seoguipo and on April 11 in Seoul.˝

Ji-Young Chae yourcat@donga.com