Seoul Blanketed in Heaviest Snowfall in a Century as Winter Storm Paralyzes South Korea.
The South Korean capital of Seoul is facing an unprecedented winter onslaught, as the city grapples with its heaviest snowfall in over a century, bringing the bustling metropolis to a virtual standstill.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, a staggering 6.5 inches of snow had fallen by 7 am on Wednesday, shattering the previous record of 4.88 inches set in 1972. This year’s snowfall is the heaviest blizzard the country has experienced since weather records began in 1907.
The relentless winter storm has wreaked havoc across the nation, with flight operations being severely disrupted, with at least 220 planes grounded at airports.
Authorities have also ordered around 90 ferries to remain docked at ports, while hundreds of trekking trails have been shut down due to the treacherous conditions.
President Yoon Suk Yeol has stepped in, instructing the safety and transport ministries to deploy all available personnel and resources to prevent traffic accidents and other snow-related incidents. He has also urged officials to promptly communicate weather and traffic updates to the public, in a bid to minimize the disruptions and inconveniences caused by the unprecedented snowfall.
The heavy snow has already claimed one life, with four others injured in a five-vehicle accident in the eastern town of Hongcheon, as icy roads created hazardous driving conditions.
According to Youn Ki-han, the director at Seoul’s Meteorology Forecast Division, the heavy snowfall was caused by a “significant temperature difference between the sea surface and the cold air.”
He explained that the unusually warm temperatures in recent weeks had led to a more pronounced contrast, allowing the moisture from the West Sea to form and be pushed into the Seoul metropolitan area by strong westerly winds.
The scenes of a snow-blanketed capital serve as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the challenges that come with navigating the unpredictable forces of the changing climate.
