South Korea’s capital was lashed by the heaviest November snowfall on Wednesday since records began a century ago, the weather agency said.
The Korea Meteorological Administration said 16.5 centimeters (6.5 inches) of snow had fallen by 7:00 a.m. (2200GMT Tuesday), compared with the previous record of 12.4 centimeters in Seoul on November 28, 1972.
Coincidentally, it was Seoul’s first snowfall of the season, the highest November total since the agency established nationwide observation posts in 1907.
The severe snow warning urged residents to “avoid driving and engaging in outdoor activities” and “be aware of falling trees”.
Such warnings are issued when 20 cm or more of snow falls within 24 hours.
Heavy snowfall across the country led to several accidents due to vehicle skidding on icy roads, though no major casualties were reported.
The downed tree caused a power outage, affecting more than 150 households around Seoul in the morning.
Main roads were closed for maintenance, causing severe traffic congestion, while at least 22 domestic flights were cancelled, and several others were delayed, according to the transport ministry.
President Yoon Seok-yul called on authorities to “minimize the potential damage caused by the snow and the inconvenience to the public,” as heavy snowfall is expected to continue into Thursday morning.
Yoon Ki-han, director of Seoul’s Meteorology Forecast Division, said the heavy snowfall is due to the significant temperature difference between the sea surface and cold air. AFP.
“Over the western ocean, moisture builds up, and when cold air moves down from the north as it usually does, if the western ocean is as cold as it has been in years past, the temperature difference,” Yoon said. Less happens,” Yoon said.
However, the gap has become more pronounced due to unusually warm temperatures in recent weeks.
Yoon added that another factor behind the heavy snowfall is that “the heavy snow was constantly blown by the westerly winds, pushing it into the Seoul metropolitan area.”
“The same areas tend to get more and more snow, which leads to more accumulation.”
According to the Met Office, up to 20cm of additional snow is expected around the capital.