Cold Snap Continues Until Weekend; Fire Risk Increases with Dry, Windy Conditions

The winter cold continues to affect most regions in South Korea, with temperatures expected to remain below average through the weekend. As conditions become increasingly dry and windy, there is a heightened risk of fire incidents and safety-related accidents.

Cold Snap Continues Until Weekend

National weather authorities have issued cold wave warnings for various regions, primarily affecting the central areas, northeast Jeolla Province, and parts of Gyeongsang Province. Morning temperatures will hover around -10°C until the weekend.

Temperature Forecast

A further drop in morning temperatures is anticipated, especially in the northeastern Gyeonggi Province and the mountainous areas of Gangwon, where temperatures may fall to around -15°C.

• Saturday, January 31 Forecast:
  • Morning lows: -15°C to -2°C
  • Afternoon highs: 0°C to 8°C
• Main Cities Predictions:
  • Seoul: -10°C to 1°C
  • Incheon: -9°C to 0°C
  • Daejeon: -9°C to 3°C
  • Gwangju: -5°C to 5°C
  • Daegu: -7°C to 6°C
  • Ulsan: -5°C to 8°C
  • Busan: -2°C to 8°C
• Sunday, February 1 Forecast:
  • Morning lows: -13°C to -1°C
  • Afternoon highs: 0°C to 7°C
• Next Week Forecast:
  • Monday, February 2: Morning lows -10°C to 0°C; afternoon highs -1°C to 8°C.

Dry and Windy Conditions

The South Korean Meteorological Administration has also reported dry weather warnings across most regions, with the exception of Jeju Island. Wind gusts near coastal areas may reach speeds of around 55 km/h, significantly increasing the fire risk.

Precipitation and Snow Predictions

In the early hours of February 1, light snowfall is expected along the western coast of Chungcheongnam-do, parts of Jeolla Province, and the mountainous regions of Jeju. Snow accumulation will generally be minimal, estimated at less than 1 cm, except for specific areas expecting up to 3 cm.

Coastal Safety Advisory

The east coast will experience strong waves that may exceed normal heights, potentially leading to maritime hazards. High winds are expected to persist until the morning of January 31, with wave heights reaching between 1.5 and 3.5 meters.

As these cold conditions persist, residents are advised to remain vigilant regarding fire risks and to take appropriate safety precautions throughout the weekend.