Cold snap grips South Korea over first weekend of new year

By Kim Hee-su Posted : January 3, 2026, 09:54 Updated : January 3, 2026, 09:54
Water leaking from a burst pipe freezes on a residential street in Seoul on Jan 2 2026 Yonhap
Water leaking from a burst pipe freezes on a residential street in Seoul on Jan. 2, 2026. Yonhap
SEOUL, January 03 (AJP) - South Korea was hit by a sharp cold snap over the first weekend of the new year, with temperatures dropping to around minus 10 degrees Celsius nationwide on Saturday, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.

Morning temperatures in most regions hovered near minus 10 degrees Celsius, while strong winds pushed wind chill values even lower. The cold spell, however, is expected to ease from Saturday afternoon, with temperatures gradually rising to seasonal averages.

According to the KMA, temperatures will remain close to the seasonal norm for the time of year, with average lows ranging from minus 12 to zero degrees Celsius and daytime highs between 1 and 9 degrees. Highs on Saturday are forecast to reach between zero and 8 degrees Celsius.

On Sunday, morning lows are expected to range from minus 10 to 2 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs climbing to between 1 and 10 degrees.

Some regions are forecast to see light rain or snow over the weekend. Parts of the west coast of South Chungcheong Province may receive less than 1 centimeter of snowfall or around 1 millimeter of precipitation through Saturday afternoon. Light snow flurries of under 0.1 centimeter are expected in mountainous areas of Jeju Island through Saturday morning, along the southern Gyeonggi coast through Saturday night, and across Chungcheong Province and North Jeolla Province until Sunday morning.

The KMA warned that icy roads and black ice could form in areas experiencing rain or snow, urging both drivers and pedestrians to exercise caution. Dry weather conditions are also expected to persist in Seoul, parts of inland Gyeonggi Province, the east coast and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province, eastern South Jeolla Province, and much of the Gyeongsang region, raising the risk of wildfires and other fires.

Fine dust levels are forecast to remain at "moderate" levels across most of the country on Saturday, but air quality is expected to deteriorate to "poor" in Seoul, southern Gyeonggi Province, Sejong, North Chungcheong Province and North Jeolla Province on Sunday.

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