Record November snowfall blankets Seoul

SEOUL: More than 16 centimetres (cm) of snow blanketed South Korea's capital city on Wednesday, marking the biggest snowfall in November since modern weather observations began in 1907, according to the state weather agency, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

As of 7 am, Seoul had received 16.5 cm of snow, topping the previous record of 12.4 cm on Nov 28, 1972, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.

The new record coincided with the first snow of the season in Seoul.

A heavy snow warning was issued in the northeastern districts of Seoul, including Nowon, Seongbuk and Dobong, according to the KMA and the Seoul metropolitan government.

A warning is issued when snowfall reaches 20 cm within 24 hours.

Much of the country, including the greater Seoul area, parts of North Chungcheong Province, eastern North Jeolla Province, and some mountainous regions of North Gyeongsang Province, will receive 1 to 3 cm of snow per hour in the morning, while the snowfall is expected to continue into the night in Gangwon Province.

Snow and rain are forecast nationwide until Thursday morning, though the precipitation will continue into the afternoon in parts of Gangwon Province and North Gyeongsang Province, and until late Friday night in the Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces, and on Jeju Island.

Twelve flights were cancelled and 38 flights were delayed due to the snow as of 9 am, according to the Korea Airports Corp and Incheon International Airport Corp.

Seoul's subway Line 9 also experienced delays of up to nine minutes during the morning rush hour, causing overcrowding on platforms.

The interior ministry activated Level 1 operations of the Central Disaster and Safety Counter Measures Headquarters and raised the heavy snow warning to "caution".

The disaster control tower warned of traffic congestion during the morning and evening rush hours, pile-up accidents on icy roads, and safety issues for pedestrians due to the heavy snow.

Starting at 7 am, the Seoul metropolitan government began removing snow in cooperation with district governments and relevant agencies.

It also made roads leading up to Mount Inwang and Mount Bugak, as well as roads in Samcheong-dong, near Gyeongbok Palace, and Waryong Park off-limits to visitors.

Interior Minister Lee Sang-min instructed officials to thoroughly conduct snow removal operations.

-- BERNAMA