Bundle up, put your matches away: Cold snap to continue as wildfire risks rise
Published: 27 Jan. 2026, 14:32
![People clad in thick winter coats cross a street near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul as temperatures stayed below zero degrees Celsius on Jan. 26. [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/01/27/dc48b41c-cdd3-4d8f-a915-b71506525714.jpg)
People clad in thick winter coats cross a street near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul as temperatures stayed below zero degrees Celsius on Jan. 26. [NEWS1]
A cold snap will continue to grip much of central Korea, pushing morning temperatures down to around minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) and raising the risk of wildfires amid dry conditions, weather officials said Tuesday.
Cold air from the north will keep temperatures below seasonal averages for the time being, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Strong winds will make it feel even colder.
The average lows for this time of year range from minus 12 to 0 degrees Celsius, with highs between 1 and 8 degrees Celsius.
On Wednesday, the morning low is expected to range from minus 16 to minus 3 degrees Celsius, with highs between minus 4 and 7 degrees Celsius. Thursday’s forecast is similarly cold, with lows between minus 16 and minus 3 degrees Celsius and highs between minus 5 and 6 degrees Celsius.
From Wednesday, morning temperatures in central regions — excluding the east coast of Gangwon — as well as inland North Gyeongsang and the northeastern mountains, and eastern North Jeolla will hover around minus 10 degrees Celsius.
In parts of northern Gyeonggi and mountainous or inland areas of Gangwon, temperatures may drop to around minus 15 degrees Celsius.
In central regions excluding Gangwon’s east coast, daytime temperatures will remain below freezing. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, cold wave warnings were issued for Gyeonggi, Gangwon, North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang.
![A river near Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi is seen frozen as a cold wave advisory was issued on Jan. 26. [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/01/27/23f52642-9831-4295-84cc-7917c416ff35.jpg)
A river near Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi is seen frozen as a cold wave advisory was issued on Jan. 26. [YONHAP]
Strong winds are expected to make it feel even colder. The perceived temperature in Seoul, Incheon and surrounding areas is expected to be about 5 degrees Celsius lower than the actual temperature.
“We advise the public to take extra care to protect their health in the cold,” the KMA said.
Older adults, young children and others with low immunity should avoid outdoor activity, and those working outside should minimize exposure and dress warmly.
Air in parts of the capital area and most eastern regions will be extremely dry. Dry weather advisories have been issued for Seoul, parts of inland Gyeonggi, central and southern inland Gangwon, Gangwon’s east coast and mountainous regions, the eastern coast of South Jeolla, and much of the Gyeongsang regions.
![A person adjusts their coat while crossing a street near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul as temperatures stayed below zero degrees Celsius on Jan. 26. [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/01/27/78761996-5880-49e7-8678-f58bf933f194.jpg)
A person adjusts their coat while crossing a street near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul as temperatures stayed below zero degrees Celsius on Jan. 26. [NEWS1]
These areas are also expected to see strong winds, raising the risk of wildfires.
“When hiking or spending time outdoors, be especially cautious with fire, and refrain from burning trash or using flammable materials,” the KMA said.
On Thursday afternoon, Jeju Island may see rain or snow. Expected snowfall in mountainous areas is between 1 and 3 centimeters (0.4 to 1.2 inches), with rainfall of less than 5 millimeters.
With snow still on the ground in some parts of central Korea and the Jeolla region and temperatures remaining low, there is a high risk of snow turning to ice. Caution is advised as icy streets and transparent "black ice" on roads are likely.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JUNG JONG-HOON [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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