Christmas in Seoul will be freezing but not white

A cold spell will descend on the Korean Peninsula on Christmas Eve, but Korea’s state-run weather agency said yesterday a white Christmas is unlikely for Seoul.

The Korea Meteorological Administration estimated the temperature in Seoul will hit a low of minus 8 degrees (18.4 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday, Dec. 24 and stay below zero on Dec. 25, with a low of minus 10 degrees.

“A cold spell is caused by cold continental high pressure that keeps expanding its influence to the Korean Peninsula,” an official at the weather agency said.

“A strong wind accompanied by cold continental high pressure will hit the peninsula on Friday and Saturday. We’re advising fisherman to keep up with further forecasts as there will be high waves until Saturday.”

The agency said snow is expected to fall in South Chungcheong area near the Yellow Sea, and that southern Jeju Island will have either snow or rain on Christmas.

Snow is expected Saturday in areas in the southwest, including Daejeon, Jeonju, Gwangju and Mokpo.

Seoul and other areas in the central region, including Chuncheon, Incheon, and Munsan, will get snow on Sunday, according to the agency.

By Kim Mi-ju [mijukim@joongang.co.kr]