Frigid weather to linger despite spring's arrival

SEOUL, February 5 (AJP) - A cold wave advisory was issued for Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas on Thursday.

The advisory, issued by the Korea Meteorological Administration, takes effect at 9 p.m., as freezing temperatures are expected overnight.

After a brief spell of balmy weather just a day after Ipchun, the official start of spring by the lunar calendar, Seoul is expected to see morning lows plunge to -12 degrees Celsius on Friday, with the fresh cold snap lingering through the weekend.

Such an advisory is issued when morning temperatures are expected to drop by more than 10 degrees Celsius from the previous day, or at least 3 degrees below the seasonal average, or when the morning low is forecast to remain at or below -12 degrees for two or more consecutive days.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is working with some 25 local districts and agencies to prepare for emergency situations, while operating emergency shelters and other facilities as well as maintaining around-the-clock monitoring.