In brief
On Wednesday, Seoul recorded its heaviest November snowfall since records began in 1907, with the city being blanketed by more than 16 centimeters of snow. This shattered the previous record of 12.4 cm, set in November 1972. The heavy snow has led to widespread disruptions across South Korea. Flights have been grounded, and many roads have been closed as transport services experience significant delays. Tragically, local reports indicate that at least one individual has died due to weather-related traffic incidents in the vicinity of Seoul.
Youn Ki-han, head of Seoul’s Meteorology Forecast Division, explained that the snowfall was caused by powerful westerly winds combined with a stark temperature contrast between the sea surface and the frigid air. The heavy snowfall is predicted to persist through Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. While the region had recently enjoyed mild autumn weather, the rapid shift to winter conditions took many by surprise. “Just last week, I felt that the November autumn was a bit warm, but in just one week, it feels like it's turned into a winter wonderland, which was quite a contrast,” remarked local businessman Bae Joo-han. He ventured out to embrace the city's first snowy day of the winter season, which also marked a significant milestone in South Korea’s meteorological history. As the snow continues to impact travel and everyday life in Seoul, residents are left to navigate the challenges posed by this unexpected and record-breaking winter weather.
