SEOUL: South Korea’s capital was hit Wednesday by the heaviest November snowfall since records began a century ago, the weather agency said.
The Korea Meteorological Administration said 16.5 centimeters of snow had fallen by 7:00 a.m. (2200 GMT Tuesday), compared to the previous record of 12.4 centimeters in Seoul on November 28, 1972.
Coincidentally, it was Seoul’s first snowfall of the season, the most November since the agency established observation posts across the country in 1907. The severe snow warning urged residents to “avoid driving and engaging in outdoor activities” and “beware of falling trees.” Such a warning is issued when 20 cm or more of snow falls within 24 hours. Heavy snowfall across the country led to several accidents due to skidding of vehicles on icy roads, though no major casualties were reported.
Falling trees caused power outages, affecting more than 150 homes around Seoul in the morning.