January 25, 2023 10:27
Temperatures dropped to -25 degrees Celsius in northern Gyeonggi and mountainous Gangwon Province on Tuesday morning, the coldest day so far this winter.
In Seoul temperatures fell to -16.7 degrees but the windchill factor made it feel like another 10 degrees colder, making it colder than in Moscow.
In Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, the coldest temperature of -25.5 degrees was measured with a windchill temperature of a record -39.3 degrees.
On Wednesday morning, the mercury dipped below -10 degrees in most parts of the country excluding Jeju Island, recording -18 degrees in Seoul.
Strong winds and heavy snowfall grounded all flights in and out of Jeju on Tuesday, stranding some 40,000 people who had traveled to the southern resort island for the Lunar New Year holiday.
According to Jeju International Airport, 233 inbound and outbound flights were canceled including 10 international flights as gusts of up to 25.8 m/s hit the island. Some 3,000 travelers huddled at the airport and formed long lines since early in the morning to find alternative routes.
Icy roads and heavy snow wrought havoc across the country. Some 113 ferries were canceled, while 140 hiking trails in national parks were closed due to heavy snowfall. Dozens of water gauges froze and burst across the country.
The Korea Meteorological Administration urged caution as temperatures will warm up slightly on Wednesday afternoon but fall again below -10 degrees at the weekend.
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