Snow falls in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, on the morning of Saturday, the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday. Yonhap

Heavy snowfall of 3 to 5 centimeters per hour is expected from Monday, leading to severe traffic congestion during the Lunar New Year holiday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

As the nation celebrates one of its most significant holidays, the KMA announced in a briefing Sunday that heavy snow is forecast to blanket most regions, with accumulations reaching up to 30 centimeters in some areas from the early hours of Monday until Tuesday.

The expected snowfall includes 10-25 centimeters in the Seoul metropolitan area, 10-30 centimeters in inland mountainous areas of the Gangwon region, 5-20 centimeters in Chungcheong, 10-30 centimeters in Jeolla, 1-15 centimeters in Gyeongsang, and 10-20 centimeters in the mountainous areas of Jeju.

A heavy snow advisory is anticipated for central regions, the Gangwon mountains, and southern inland areas starting early Monday. The cause of this significant snowfall is attributed to an atmospheric vortex lingering over the Korean Peninsula, drawing in two snow cloud systems. The situation is exacerbated by a sea surface temperature difference exceeding 20 degrees Celsius, which adds moisture to the snow clouds, increasing the snowfall's intensity. Morning temperatures are expected to dip to minus 3 degrees Celsius, Monday, and minus 10 degrees Celsius, Tuesday, falling below seasonal norms.

The KMA expressed concerns over severe traffic congestion during the snow-heavy holiday from Monday to Wednesday, especially as traffic volumes leaving the metropolitan area are expected to peak. Drivers in snowy regions should prepare for reduced visibility and icy roads by equipping their vehicles with snow gear. Additionally, disruptions to flight schedules due to heavy snow and strong winds are possible, and travelers are advised to check flight information in advance. Precautions should also be taken to prevent the collapse of structures such as barns and greenhouses under the weight of snow, and hikers and pedestrians are urged to prioritize safety.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.