South Korea Hit By Severe Cold Wave

SEOUL, Jan 2  (Bernama-Yonhap) -- A cold wave alert was issued for most parts of the nation Friday as temperatures sharply dropped after cold air moved in from the northwest, the weather agency said, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The alert covers the broader Seoul area, the eastern province of Gangwon, the central province of North Chungcheong and other regions as morning temperatures fell to around minus 10 C, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

As of 5 am, temperatures stood at minus 10.6 C in Seoul, minus 11 C in the western city of Incheon, minus 13.6 C in the central city of Chuncheon and minus 5.6 C in the southeastern port city of Busan.

The daily highs are forecast to reach minus 5 to plus 4 C.

Western coastal areas, including those in South Chungcheong and North Jeolla provinces, are expected to see rain or snow.

Through Saturday, the wider Jeolla region is expected to receive 2 to 7 centimetres of snow, while 5 to 10 cm of snow is forecast for the southern island of Jeju and the eastern islands of Ulleung and Dokdo.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP