[DiaryPoint | Reporter Kim Jeong-hun] Seoul’s Jongno weather station recorded a morning low of 0.4°C on Nov. 7, the start of ipdong, the traditional beginning of winter, making it the city’s coldest morning of the autumn so far. The season’s first ice was observed in Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon and Cheongju, while cold wave advisories were issued for parts of the inland region.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast morning lows of -1°C to 7°C nationwide on Nov. 8, with daytime highs of 7°C to 15°C. Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province are expected to see lows of -1°C to 2°C and highs of 7°C to 11°C. Rain is forecast to begin in northern Gyeonggi between 9 a.m. and noon, then spread to the rest of the capital region, including Seoul, from late afternoon.
Rainfall in the capital region is expected to total around 5 millimeters. Gangwon Province may get less than 5 millimeters of rain, with about 1 centimeter of snow possible in its mountainous areas. Rain is expected to taper off late at night in the capital region and Gangwon, while parts of northern Chungcheong Province may also see overnight showers.
The weather agency said skies will be cloudy nationwide on Nov. 9 before clearing from the morning, followed by generally sunny conditions on Nov. 10. Cold wave advisories are in effect for Gapyeong and western Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi, as well as parts of Gangwon, Chungcheong and southern Korea. Those heading out should dress warmly for subfreezing morning temperatures; people in the capital region may also want to bring an umbrella for late-afternoon rain.
The cold is expected to persist into early next week before easing. The agency’s extended forecast calls for morning temperatures of 2°C to 5°C in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi on Nov. 11 and 12, rising to 4°C to 9°C from Nov. 13 through 17. Daytime highs are forecast at 12°C to 17°C from Nov. 11 through 17, above seasonal averages.
Kim Seung-bae, head of the Korea Association for Natural Disaster Prevention, said in a Nov. 7 interview with YTN that “this cold spell will last around Sunday through Tuesday,” then temperatures will “return to seasonal norms around next Wednesday.” He said Seoul’s average morning low for this time of year is 5°C to 6°C.