Members of the Gwangnaru Water Rescue Team under Seoul's Gangdong District 119 Special Rescue Unit perform ice-breaking operations in Seoul, Feb. 7, amid a severe cold wave and heavy snowfall. Yonhap

Bitter cold weather continued to grip the nation Saturday, with temperatures plunging below minus 10 degrees Celsius in most regions, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

As of 5 a.m. the lowest temperature in Seoul was minus minus 11.4 C, while other major cities like Chuncheon saw temperatures falling below minus 15.6 degrees Celsius, the KMA said.

The cities of Incheon and Suwon, both located in the area surrounding Seoul, also recorded minus 10.9 C and minus 11.8 C, respectively.

Day temperatures will range from minus 4 to 3 C above zero, though a cold wind is expected to bring down the apparent temperatures even further, the KMA said.

Cold wave advisories have been issued for the greater Seoul area and central regions, eastern parts of North Jeolla Province and inland areas of Gyeongsang Province, with morning temperatures in most regions staying below minus 10 C. An advisory is issued when a morning low of minus 12 C or less is expected for two or more consecutive days.

The cold spell is expected to continue throughout the weekend, with morning lows ranging from minus 15 to minus 3 C, and day temperatures reaching up to 6 C , Sunday. (Yonhap)