Photo Description English Questions-Heavy Snow Alerts Issued in Greater Seoul Area and Gangwon Province; Over 20 cm of Snow Reported in Seoul
More than 20 centimeters of snow blanketed parts of Seoul overnight, prompting heavy snow alerts across the greater Seoul area and Gangwon Province, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on Wednesday. This substantial snowfall marked an abrupt and intense start to winter, coinciding with the season's first snow in the capital.
The KMA, alongside the Seoul metropolitan government, issued heavy snow warnings for northeastern districts of Seoul, including Nowon, Seongbuk, and Dobong. Such warnings are based on expected snowfall exceeding 20 cm within a 24-hour period, while advisories apply to snow accumulation over 5 cm during the same time frame.
Winter weather conditions have affected much of South Korea, with snow falling at rates of 1 to 3 cm per hour during the morning. Impacted regions include the greater Seoul area, parts of North Chungcheong Province, eastern North Jeolla Province, and mountainous regions in North Gyeongsang Province. Gangwon Province, in particular, is expected to experience extended snowfall into the night, potentially exacerbating the weather challenges.
In response, the Ministry of Interior and Safety activated Level 1 operations of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and upgraded the heavy snow warning status to "caution." The ministry highlighted significant risks such as heavy traffic congestion during rush hours, accidents caused by icy road conditions, and safety hazards for pedestrians.
Starting at 7 a.m., the Seoul metropolitan government launched extensive snow removal operations in collaboration with district governments and relevant agencies. Key preventive measures include restricting access to several hilly and high-risk areas, such as roads leading to Mount Inwang, Mount Bugak, and areas around Samcheong-dong near Gyeongbok Palace and Waryong Park.
Interior Minister Lee Sang-min urged officials to ensure thorough snow-clearing efforts, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding public safety and minimizing disruptions caused by the heavy snowfall. The coordinated measures aim to mitigate the potential hazards posed by icy conditions and improve traffic and pedestrian safety throughout the affected areas.