In brief
On Wednesday, November 1st, Seoul was blanketed in 16 cm of snow, marking the heaviest November snowfall on record since 1907 and exceeding the previous record of 12.4 cm from 1972. The snowfall led to substantial disruptions throughout the city and surrounding regions, with reports of grounded flights, closed roads, and delays in public transportation. Tragically, at least one person lost their life in a weather-related accident near the capital.
Youn Ki-han, head of Seoul's Meteorology Forecast Division, explained that the extreme snowfall was primarily due to strong westerly winds along with significant temperature differences between the sea surface and the cold air masses. This unusual weather pattern is expected to persist through Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The sudden shift from mild autumn temperatures to wintry conditions surprised many, including local businessman Bae Joo-han, who noted the stark contrast of a "winter wonderland" setting after a warm November week. Despite the chaos, some citizens ventured out to enjoy the season's first snow, capturing the charm of the transformed city and its historic landmarks such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, which appeared enchanting dusted in white. As the region grapples with adverse weather, forecasts suggest that additional snowfall may continue to impact daily life and travel plans in the days ahead.
