Chilly Weekend Ahead

Weather forecasts expect a maximum of 25cm of snowfall through Jan. 12 in Yeongdong, Gangwon Province. This increases the potential for snow-related damages in the region.

The Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA) yesterday forecasted a big drop in temperature of -6 or -7 degrees Celsius next week after snow and rain falls across the nation.

Until Saturday night, Yeongdong is expected to receive 5-25cm of snow, North Chungcheong Province and northern Gyeonggi area to receive 2-7cm, and Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Gangwon’s Yeongseo, parts of Chungcheong and Gyeongsang provinces (excluding their northern areas), North Jeolla Province, Ulleung Island, Dokdo Island, and the mountain area of Jeju Province are set to receive 1-5cm.

Snowfall is expected to continue into Tuesday next week in Gangwon’s Yeongdong and the northern part of North Gyeongsang Province, and Ulleung and Dokdo islands.

A KMA official requested citizens carefully follow weather forecasts as “though snowfall is expected to gradually stop beginning from the west coast of Gyeonggi Province on Jan. 12, it is expected to continue falling in Yeongdong, Gangwon Province.”

Yesterday morning the low in Seoul reached -1.7 degree Celsius and will further drop to -6 or -7 degrees Celsius next week. Temperatures are expected to return to average levels by the end of next week.

esprit@donga.com