Unstable weather system brings a bit of everything to Korea

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Unstable weather system brings a bit of everything to Korea

Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gagnwon, is piled with snow on Thursday due to snow that fell overnight. [YONHAP]

Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung, Gagnwon, is piled with snow on Thursday due to snow that fell overnight. [YONHAP]

 
The weather in Korea can't decide what it wants to do, with patches of snow, fluctuating temperatures, rain on the way and a spate of fine dust.
 
On Wednesday, the east coast was struck with heavy snow, resulting in accidents and traffic chaos in the morning due to the abrupt snowfall.
 
Over 25 centimeters (10 inches) of snow accumulated in Jumunjin in Gangwon and 31.1 centimeters in Uljin, North Gyeongsang. Passenger ferries traveling between Pohang in North Gyeongsang and Ulleung were halted on Wednesday due to the snow.  
 
Residents in North Gyeongsang experienced traffic chaos in the morning as about seven kilometers of a national highway in Pohang were restricted.  
 
The heavy snowfall also caused automobiles to skid on roads in Gangneung, Gangwon.
 
Some five vehicles crashed into each other on the Donghae expressway, causing a driver to be sent to a hospital for treatment.
 
Snow also fell in parts of Busan from Tuesday night to Wednesday dawn, and piled in parts of Haeundae and the Gijang county.  
 
On Thursday, some snow was reported in Jeju and in the southern parts of the peninsula. Mountainous areas of Jeju Island could get one to five centimeters of snow.  
 
Some rain and snow were to fall in the metropolitan areas of Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi, as well as parts of Gangwon and Chungcheong on Thursday afternoon.
 
Thursday’s temperatures remained similar to previous years, with daily highs reaching 4 degrees Celsius (39 degrees Fahrenheit) to 9 degrees Celsius, according to the Korea Meteorological Agency (KMA).
 
Friday will be warmer than usual, with morning lows ranging between minus six to four degrees Celsius. Afternoon highs are expected to be between six to 13 degrees Celsius.
 
Fine dust levels will be bad or worse in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi and parts of Gangwon and Chungcheong on Friday, while other areas are expected to be at good to moderate levels.  
 
The country will experience rain and snow over the weekend affected by the low pressure.  
 
Most parts of the country will get rain on Saturday, while central inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon will get mixed snow and rain from late afternoon.
 
Morning lows in the country will range between minus two to nine degrees Celsius, with afternoon highs of between six to 14 degrees Celsius.
 
The KMA warned those driving on Saturday to be careful on roads as there is the possibility that freezing rain will fall in central and southern inland regions from 9 a.m. Saturday.
 
Freezing rain occurs when raindrops freeze almost instantly when touching the ground, resulting in icy roads as well as black ice, which is considered a major cause of many car accidents.
 
On Sunday, temperatures will be similar to previous years, but rain and snow are expected in some areas. Heavy snow advisories may be issued in mountainous areas of Gangwon.  
 
Daily lows will range between minus four to nine degrees Celsius and daily highs between five to 13 degrees Celsius.
 
Temperatures will dip starting Sunday afternoon while colder temperatures are anticipated to continue through Tuesday.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO, JEONG EUN-HYE [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]
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