Han River Freezes Amid Prolonged Cold Wave—Seven Days Earlier Than Average, 37 Days Earlier Than Last Year

After five consecutive days of a cold wave with temperatures hovering around minus 10 degrees Celsius, the Han River froze for the first time this winter on the 3rd.
The Seoul Metropolitan Regional Office of Meteorology announced that the freezing was observed as the severe cold continued under the influence of a Continental High. This year's ice formation occurred seven days earlier than the average freezing date of the Han River (January 10) and 37 days earlier than last winter (February 9, 2025).
The freezing of the Han River is determined when a band-shaped area about 100 meters upstream between the second and fourth piers of Hangang Bridge, which connects Dongjak-gu and Yongsan-gu in Seoul, is completely covered with ice, making the water invisible. The thickness of the ice is not considered.
Observations of the Han River freezing began in 1906. At that time, the designated observation point was Nodeulnaru, one of the main ferry docks on the Han River, chosen for its accessibility. After Hangang Bridge was constructed at this location, observations have continued at the same spot for nearly 120 years.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the Han River typically freezes when Seoul’s lowest temperature drops below minus 10 degrees Celsius for at least five days, and the daytime high remains below freezing. Recent temperatures at the Seoul Weather Station in Jongno-gu show that the lowest temperature fell to minus 8.9 degrees Celsius on December 31 last year, minus 10.5 degrees on January 1, minus 11.4 degrees on January 2, and minus 9.8 degrees on January 3.
The earliest freezing of the Han River on record was in 1934, when it was observed on December 4. The latest was in 1964, on February 13. There have been nine years when no freezing was recorded: 1960, 1971, 1972, 1978, 1988, 1991, 2006, 2019, and 2021.
The KMA explained that the Han River now tends to freeze later and for shorter periods compared to the past. This trend is attributed to a combination of factors, including the deepening of the river and increased flow speed due to the Hangang Comprehensive Development Project in the 1980s, as well as rising average temperatures caused by climate change.

spring@fnnews.com Lee Bo-mi Reporter