It’s going to be bitter cold for the entire weekend

Korea woke up to frosty weather Friday with the lowest temperatures of this winter in most regions, including Seoul. Some regions in the western coastal area saw heavy snows, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

Seoul saw a low of minus 10 degree Celsius Friday, which was the lowest this winter. With a wind of four meters per second (8.9 miles per hour), the wind chill reduced the temperature to minus 15 Celsius.

The high of the day was minus three Celsius.

Other regions that saw temperatures around minus 10 Celsius with accompanying piercing winds included Chuncheon, Daejeon, Suwon and Gangneung.

Daegwallyeong in Gangwon experienced the lowest wind chill temperatures of minus 19.8 Celsius.

The KMA issued heavy snow alerts for the western coastal areas - South Chungcheong and North Jeolla - and the mountain areas in Jeju. Those areas are expected to see snow or rain until Saturday morning.

Heavy snow in South Chungcheong caused three schools to cancel classes and 13 schools to delay the opening bell.

Seosan in South Chungcheong saw about 28 centimeters (11 inches) of accumulated snow.

“To avoid damage caused by the heavy snow, please pay careful attention to school facilities and operating commuter vehicles,” said an official of South Chungcheong Office of Education.

Destruction of vinyl greenhouses, cattle houses and seaweed farms in the province led to damages worth 3.1 billion won ($2.7 million).

Airline services in North Jeolla experienced delays because of heavy snow. Flights on seven routes - including between Gunsan and Jeju - were canceled.

Buan, North Jeolla, had 30 centimeters, or 1 foot, of snow.

The KMA also warned about transportation risks due to icy roads in the western coastal areas and mountainous areas in Jeju.

Cold wave watches were issued in Gangwon and the northern parts of Gyeonggi, according to the KMA.

The bitter cold weather will last throughout the weekend, and the following week will also see lower temperatures than usual, according to the KMA.

Seoul is expected to see a low of minus eight degrees Celsius Saturday and minus seven degrees on Sunday.

BY PARK YUNA [ypc3c@joongang.co.kr]