[Diary Point = Reporter Eom Ju-yong] A sudden drop in temperature in late October triggered a cold wave advisory across inland regions of Korea. The advisory took effect at 9 p.m. on Oct. 21, covering parts of Gyeonggi Province, inland areas of Gangwon, Chungcheong, North Jeolla, North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang provinces, Incheon's Ganghwa and northern districts, and Daejeon, Sejong and Gunwi in Daegu. All of North Chungcheong Province was included. The advisory was lifted at 10 a.m. on Oct. 22, but with temperatures swinging sharply at this time of year, it's worth preparing your morning commute and home in advance.
A cold wave advisory isn't limited to the depths of winter. The Korea Meteorological Administration issues one anytime between October and the following April when the morning low is expected to fall at least 10 degrees Celsius from the previous day to 3 degrees Celsius or below, and at least 3 degrees below the seasonal average. It also applies when morning lows of minus 12 degrees Celsius or lower are expected to persist for two days or more. A cold wave warning, the more serious alert, is issued when the temperature drop is 15 degrees or more, or when lows of minus 15 degrees or below are expected to last two days or longer.
Layer Up Instead of Bundling in One Thick Coat
When morning temperatures drop into the single digits, it's more practical to wear thermal underwear or several thin layers topped with a wind-blocking outer coat than a single heavy layer. Gloves, scarves, hats and masks help minimize skin exposure, and wearing thermal leggings or tights under pants adds extra warmth. Before kids head to school, check the "feels-like" temperature and send them out with a coat, gloves and non-slip shoes.
On the commute, avoid walking with your hands in your pockets and take shorter strides to guard against icy patches. Children, older adults, and people with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable to sudden cold and should limit time outdoors. If you notice severe shivering, slurred speech, memory lapses or confusion, suspect hypothermia, move to a warm place immediately, and call emergency services or seek medical help.
A 10-Minute Check for Pipes and Boilers
Pack old clothing or insulation material tightly around water meter boxes and any exposed pipes, and seal gaps around lids and openings with tape or plastic sheeting to block cold air. Meters on exterior walls in corridor-style apartments, ground-floor units, and homes left empty for extended periods should be checked first. During a prolonged cold spell, leaving a faucet slightly open so water trickles continuously can help prevent pipes from freezing.
If a meter or pipe does freeze, never pour boiling water on it or apply an open flame directly. Thaw it gradually with a lukewarm wet towel or a hair dryer, and if the meter's glass cover is cracked, report it to your local water authority. Seoul's waterworks office advises residents to recheck insulation once temperatures approach minus 10 degrees Celsius, when freeze risk rises sharply, and to keep a faucet trickling during extended absences. Reporting hotlines and standards vary by region, so check notices from your local water utility.
For boilers, rather than switching off the power entirely, it's safer to follow the manual and building management guidance so the anti-freeze function keeps running. In unused rooms, adjust the heating valve and close the door, but avoid letting rooms along exterior walls or near pipes get too cold. Sealing window gaps with weatherstripping tape and using bubble insulation film and curtains to block drafts can also reduce heat loss.
When it comes to heating costs, the key is maintaining an optimal indoor temperature of around 20 degrees Celsius rather than cranking up the heat indiscriminately. The Korea Energy Agency recommends adjusting the distributor valves in unused rooms, cutting shower time, and inspecting aging pipes. For ventilation, open windows fully but briefly for 5 to 10 minutes rather than leaving them cracked open for long periods, which wastes heating energy. Even though this particular cold wave has passed, morning temperatures could plunge again, so checking your meter box, window seals and boiler before bed can spare you an uncomfortable commute and unexpected repair bills.