Seoul sees its first snow already... 26 days earlier than last year

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said the first snow was observed in Seoul that day. Last year's first snow in Seoul was on December 4, while the average date is November 20. This year, the first snow fell 26 days earlier than last year and 12 days earlier than average.

As of 10 a.m. that day, raindrops were falling or snow was flurrying in parts of Seoul, Incheon and northern Gyeonggi Province. However, the precipitation is light, making it unlikely that snow will accumulate on the ground.

As temperatures gradually rise from midday, some areas are expected to get rain instead of snow. Rain or snow is expected on high mountains around 1,000 meters above sea level, including Hwaaksan and Myeongjisan in northeastern Gyeonggi Province, and snow could accumulate in some areas.

According to weather information issued by the KMA at 10:50 a.m., rain is expected that day in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province, with rain or snow in northeastern Gyeonggi Province and the inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province. From 6 to 9 p.m., rain will also fall in northern South Chungcheong Province, central and northern North Chungcheong Province, and northern North Gyeongsang Province, then mostly stop between 9 p.m. and midnight.

Visibility may be reduced and roads may become slippery where rain or snow falls. In particular, rain or snow could freeze and create thin ice on roads in northeastern Gyeonggi Province and the inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province, so motorists should take care.