On January 15, heavy snow and sleet blanketed much of South Korea, delivering accumulations well above seasonal norms even in milder conditions.
Record Snow Depths Across Regions
Western areas bore the brunt, with forecasts predicting 5 to 20 cm of snow in Gyeonggi Province, southern Gangwon, Chungcheong provinces, western Jeonnam, southwestern Jeonbuk, and southeastern Gyeongnam. Incheon and surrounding spots like Gangneung saw up to 10 cm by 10 a.m., while coastal stretches extending 200 meters inland turned fully white. Inland areas up to 1 km from the shore remained snow-covered.
Golf courses in Ganghwa and Hwasu shut down amid the deluge, and airport operators canceled flights due to poor visibility. Ground crews prioritize safe returns and equipment checks for all affected aircraft.
Milder Temps Fail to Melt Snow
Morning lows ranged from -2°C to 7°C, with daytime highs reaching 6°C to 19°C—warmer than the typical -8°C to 2°C mornings and 4°C to 10°C afternoons. Yet southern Gyeongsang saw 15°C daytime swings, heightening risks from abrupt weather shifts.
Avalanche Threats in Key Mountain Zones
Elevated dangers loom in eastern Gangwon, Sanji, eastern Gyeongbuk, Busan, and Ulsan peaks, where heavy powder threatens massive slides. Outdoor enthusiasts must exercise extreme caution during mountain activities.
Missing Persons Alerts Nationwide
Excluding southern Jeolla and Jeju, most regions face heightened missing persons risks from deep snow. East Sea facing Donghae-to-Namhae zones report 0.5 to 1.5 meters, west sea sides 0.5 to 2.0 meters, and inland highlands up to 3.5 meters maximum.
