Seoul sees first snowfall of the season

The first snowfall of this season with the subzero temperatures at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul on Friday. [YONHAP]

Seoul experienced its first snow of this fall. Greater Seoul areas including Incheon, Gyeonggi and South Chungcheong saw their first snowfalls of the season.

The snow came three days earlier than it does on average, and 12 days earlier than it did last year.

As of 8 a.m., South Jeolla and Jeju Island had experienced a mixed snowfall and rain.

As of 9 a.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) had reported that islands and territories near the Yellow Sea had seen their first snow or experienced rain.

As of 10 a.m. the KMA had announced a heavy snow advisory in the South Chungcheong area, which is expecting more than 5 centimeters of snowfall. More than 20 centimeters (8 inches) of snowfall had also arrived at Jeju's Mount Halla, which saw the country's first snowfall this past Sunday.

More territories are likely to see such weather conditions. Cold wind gliding west over the relatively warm Yellow Sea has formed a snow cloud, which will fall across the country. The cloud is currently moving eastward at a speed of 40 kilometers (24 miles) per hour as of noon. Heavy snow could arrive in inland territories of Chungcheong and North Jeolla later in the day.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]