Cold wave to hit South Korea as Lunar New Year holiday comes to end

Korea cold wave

Jeju Airport is crowded with people on the early morning on Monday. (Yonhap via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network)

SEOUL — Cold wave alerts will be issued for most parts of South Korea on Monday, the third day of the four-day Lunar New Year holiday, according to the nation’s weather agency.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said the cold wave warning will take effect for Seoul as of 9 p.m. The cold wave warnings are issued when the daily low falls below minus 15 degrees Celsius for more than two consecutive days, or when the temperature drops sharply and major damage is expected.

The warnings will be issued for Incheon and 31 cities in Gyeonggi Province including Suwon, Goyang and Yongin, the KMA said.

Nineteen cities of Gangwon and 13 cities in North Gyeongsang Province will come under the grip of the cold spell as well.

Eight cities in the central area of North Chungcheong and five cities in the southwest province of North Jeolla will be given warnings.

“Tuesday’s temperatures will plummet by 10-15 degrees Celsius compared to Monday, with further drop anticipated from wind,” said the KMA.

RELATED STORIES

How Koreans survived winter the old-fashioned way

Heavy snow causes flight cancellations, road accidents in South Korea

Read more...