Heavy snowfall battered Jeju Island on February 8, forcing Jeju International Airport to suspend operations for snow removal. Nearly 100 flights faced cancellations as visibility plummeted and snow accumulated rapidly.
Airport Operations Halted
As of 10 a.m., dense snow blanketed the region, with Jeju Airport recording about 1 cm of snow on runways despite ongoing clearance efforts. Snowfall began early morning, intensifying into a blizzard that extended suspension until 11 a.m.
From midnight to 8 a.m., the airport area saw 20.8 cm of accumulation. Nearby stations reported Seogwipo Jeju-gasiri at 12.3 cm, Seogwipo Pyeongsan at 9.7 cm, and central Jeju at 3.5 cm.
Officials scheduled 226 departures and 235 arrivals, totaling 461 flights. However, 96 flights canceled, five diverted, with many others delayed due to persistent weather.
Roads Turn Treacherous
Jeju’s road network faced severe disruptions from slippery conditions. Key routes like Road 1100 from Samsugori to Gu Tamra University, Road 516, Bijarim-ro, and Myeongnim-ro reported heavy snow and slow traffic. City streets also clogged as snow continued falling.
