Cold wave warnings issued across Korea, Seoul witnesses coldest day

Commuters near Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, are bundled up on Wednesday morning. [NEWS1]

Cold wave warnings were issued across Korea on Wednesday as the country came under the grip of the season's coldest weather, authorities said.

In Seoul, morning lows plummeted to minus 19.3 degrees Celsius (minus 2.74 degrees Fahrenheit), with an effective temperature of nearly minus 25.7 degrees Celsius, as of 6:29 a.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.

A cold wave warning is issued when the morning low is below minus 15 degrees Celsius for more than two consecutive days, or when the temperature drops sharply and major damage is expected.

Since 2000, Seoul's morning lows have dipped below minus 17 degrees Celsius only on nine days, the KMA said.

The temperature in the mountainous areas of Gangwon and the northern region of Gyeonggi dipped to morning lows of minus 25.1 degrees Celsius, the KMA said.

The freezing temperatures were accompanied by heavy snow in the southern parts of the country, including the southern resort island of Jeju.

More snow is expected throughout the day, with more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) in the west coastal area of Gyeonggi, and between 5 and 10 centimeters in mountainous regions on Jeju Island, the KMA said.

Meanwhile, domestic flight operations from and out of Jeju Island were resumed early Wednesday, airport authorities said.

Yonhap