Bitter Cold Wave Freezes Han River... Seven Days Earlier Than Average

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the Han River froze for the first time this winter on the 3rd as a severe cold wave persisted. This occurred about a week earlier than the average freezing date of January 10. Compared to last winter, when the river froze on February 9, this year's freezing came 37 days earlier.
The freezing of the Han River is officially recognized when a virtual rectangular area, set 100 meters upstream between the second and fourth piers of Hangang Bridge connecting Dongjak District and Yongsan District in Seoul, is completely covered with ice and the water is no longer visible. Typically, the Han River freezes when Seoul's minimum temperature remains below minus 10 degrees Celsius for more than five days and the daily high also stays below freezing.
According to KMA, observations of the Han River freezing began in 1906. The earliest freezing on record was on December 4, 1934, while the latest was on February 13, 1964. There have been nine years in which the river did not freeze at all.


rsunjun@fnnews.com Yoo Sun-joon Reporter