Climate & Environment

Seoul to Record First Subzero Fall Temperature Amid Cold Snap

By News Team

Korea is preparing for its coldest fall weather yet, with Seoul expected to drop below freezing for the first time this season on Saturday, the traditional start of winter known as ipdong. A low‑pressure system will bring rain to the southern coast of Jeonnam‑Gwangju and Jeju Island on Wednesday afternoon, spreading to most of the country by Thursday morning before tapering off by the afternoon. Some parts of Jeju Island may see rain into the evening.

Commuters in the greater Seoul area and Chungcheong region should expect rain early Thursday, with total rainfall ranging from 5 to 60 millimeters across various regions: 20–60 mm in mountainous areas of Jeju, 10–40 mm in Jeonnam‑Gwangju, Busan, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang and the rest of Jeju, and 5–30 mm in North Jeolla. The Chungcheong region, Daegu and North Gyeongsang are forecast to receive 5–20 mm, while southern inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon are expected to see 5–10 mm. The greater Seoul area and the rest of Gangwon are forecast to receive about 5 mm.

Strong winds with gusts exceeding 25 m/s (56 mph) are also expected in Jeju’s mountainous areas from early Thursday, potentially triggering wind advisories.

After the rain clears, temperatures will fall sharply. Nationwide morning lows on Friday are forecast to range from 2 to 12 °C, with daytime highs of 9 to 17 °C, below seasonal averages. Seoul’s daytime high is expected to drop from 17 °C on Thursday to 9 °C on Friday, a decline of 8 °C in one day.

The cold snap will peak on Saturday, with nationwide morning lows of –4 to 5 °C, 5 to 9 °C lower than the previous day. Seoul’s morning temperature is expected to fall to –1 °C, marking the first subzero reading of the fall, and wind chill could reach –4 °C. The Korea Meteorological Administration warned that strong winds will make it feel colder than the actual temperature and that morning temperatures could fall below freezing, especially in inland areas, potentially causing ice to form. Farmers are advised to take precautions to protect crops.

Chilly conditions are expected to continue through early next week. From Sunday through Tuesday, morning temperatures are forecast to range from –1 to 8 °C, with daytime highs of 7 to 15 °C, below seasonal averages. Temperatures are expected to return to normal seasonal levels starting on November 11.