More Heavy Snow Forecast

February 14, 2011 12:13

More heavy snow is hitting the east coast on Monday after record-breaking blizzards in the area over the weekend. The region was hit by the heaviest snowfall in a century of some 1 m, with another 50 cm expected Monday.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast the eastern part of Gangwon Province will see 10-50 cm of snow by Monday, eastern North Gyeongsang Province and Ulleung and Dokdo islands 3-15 cm, and western Gangwon Province and northwestern North Gyeongsang Province 1-5 cm.

"Vapors from warm sea surfaces were carried by the east wind to meet cold air in the upper atmosphere, resulting in heavy snow in the east coastal region," the KMA said.

Cars are stranded in Gangneung, Gangwon Province on Sunday, which a day earlier saw 77.7 cm of snow, the heaviest since observation began in 1911.

Concerns are rising that the snowstorms will damage houses and block roads.

The snow is expected to get lighter in the late afternoon or evening on Monday before fading away. The agency forecast a little snow for central inland areas including Seoul between Monday afternoon and evening as the northeastern air stream is likely to get stronger pushing snow clouds over the Mt. Taebaek range.