Unseasonal sandstorms hit Korea in December for the second year running. The Korea Meteorological Administration predicts the sandstorms will hit Korea more frequently than in previous years this winter due to a drought in Inner Mongolia, the origin of the sandstorms.

The KMA on Tuesday said dust from Inner Mongolia has been blowing into Korea since Tuesday morning, increasing dust to the level of 300 micrograms per cubic meter of air in Seoul and surrounding areas. It said Korea will see more frequent sandstorms this winter than in previous years due to continued drought and high temperature in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, Mongolia and Manchuria.

(englishnews@chosun.com )