Heavy snow warning framed government preparations Friday as South Korea braced for renewed snowfall across Seoul and surrounding regions. Authorities emphasized that the approaching system could trigger prolonged disruptions if precautions fail.
The Korea Meteorological Administration said snowfall would begin Saturday afternoon and continue into late night. Consequently, officials forecast approximately eight centimeters of snow across Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.
Because accumulation may exceed five centimeters within twenty-four hours, meteorologists expect advisories across the capital area. Moreover, forecasters warned that extended precipitation increases risks compared with last week’s short but intense event.
Meanwhile, cold temperatures will persist throughout the weekend, further complicating road conditions. Specifically, Seoul temperatures are expected to fall to minus three degrees Celsius by Sunday morning.
This heavy snow warning follows severe disruption earlier this month. On December fourth, sudden snowfall caused traffic paralysis across the metropolitan region within hours.
During that event, authorities logged 5,232 weather-related accident reports over a twelve-hour period. Additionally, several collisions involved more than ten vehicles, severely straining emergency response capacity.
Unlike last week’s concentrated burst, Saturday’s snowfall will stretch across several hours. Therefore, officials believe longer exposure may increase icing risks across highways and secondary roads.
Meteorologists explained that a trough forming between opposing pressure systems will fuel sustained snowfall. As a result, snow bands may linger longer over urban corridors.
Furthermore, Gangwon Province inland and mountainous areas could receive five to ten centimeters of snow. Similarly, parts of North and South Chungcheong Provinces may accumulate up to three centimeters.
In response, central and local governments convened emergency coordination meetings earlier this week. During discussions, officials agreed to intensify preventative measures across vulnerable transport corridors.
Authorities decided to pre-position snow-removal vehicles near major highways, bridges, and urban bottlenecks. Additionally, agencies enhanced communication channels with municipal road management offices.
Interior Ministry officials stressed that early deployment remains critical under a heavy snow warning. Therefore, response teams will operate on standby throughout the weekend.
Officials also urged residents to modify travel plans whenever possible. In particular, authorities recommended public transportation usage during peak snowfall periods.
Moreover, residents were asked to clear snow from storefronts and residential entrances. Officials said community cooperation could significantly reduce injury risks.
Transportation planners acknowledged that Seoul’s dense traffic patterns amplify snow-related disruption risks. Consequently, preventative coordination remains essential for maintaining economic activity and public safety.
Looking ahead, meteorologists said similar winter systems could develop throughout December. Therefore, agencies plan to review response effectiveness after the weekend event.
Ultimately, officials emphasized preparedness rather than alarm. However, they cautioned that ignoring a heavy snow warning could lead to avoidable disruptions.
As winter conditions intensify, authorities pledged continued monitoring and rapid intervention to minimize economic and social impacts across the capital region.
