South Korea faced a second consecutive day of heavy snowfall on Thursday, causing widespread disruptions across the country. Dozens of flights were canceled, and ferry services were suspended as authorities worked to manage the impacts of the severe weather. The freezing conditions have also led to at least five reported deaths, with most casualties occurring in the Gyeonggi province, where the capital, Seoul, is located.
The ongoing snowstorm began earlier in the week and intensified the winter chill, bringing additional challenges to the country’s transportation systems. Emergency teams are continuing efforts to clear roads and provide assistance as the cold snap persists.
The heavy snowfall, which has caused severe disruptions across South Korea, marked the heaviest November snowfall in the country’s history in over 100 years.
The snowstorm, which began on Wednesday, is the third heaviest recorded in Seoul since weather data began in 1907. By Thursday morning, parts of the capital saw up to 40 cm (16 inches) of snow, with other areas reaching nearly 45 cm. The unprecedented weather conditions resulted in the cancellation of over 140 flights, and ferry operations were suspended across 79 routes.
In addition to the flight and ferry disruptions, a fatal incident occurred at a golf range in Pyeongtaek, where a net overloaded with snow collapsed, killing one person and injuring two others. Another person died when a protective tent collapsed in a car park.
Additionally, traffic accidents on highways east of Seoul resulted in at least two more fatalities. On Wednesday, a pile-up involving 53 vehicles in Gangwon province left 11 people injured, though no deaths have been confirmed from the incident. The heavy snowfall also severely impacted transportation, with Seoul’s main airport, Incheon, experiencing significant delays.
On Thursday, passengers faced average delays of two hours, with 14 percent of flights delayed and 15 percent canceled. The snowstorm forced authorities to deploy 11,000 personnel and 20,000 pieces of snow removal equipment in the capital as officials scrambled to clear roads and reopen affected routes. Schools in Gyeonggi province were given the option to close for the day due to the dangerous conditions.
By Thursday morning, weather officials had lifted the heavy snow warnings in the capital’s metropolitan area. However, the cold snap remains a major concern for the country. The ongoing snowfall has been linked to unusually warm sea temperatures to the west of the Korean Peninsula and cold air currents, which contributed to the extreme weather conditions. Despite some easing of the storm, authorities continue to monitor the situation as the country braces for more disruptions.
As of Wednesday, 131 temporary power outages were reported, 46 of which were restored by the end of the day. Despite the snow warnings being lifted in Seoul, many southern regions outside the capital continued to experience heavy snowfall at a rate of approximately one centimeter per hour, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.
The unusual snowfall has been linked to warmer-than-usual sea temperatures off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula meeting cold air currents. This weather phenomenon is believed to be responsible for the extreme snowstorm. While the situation in Seoul has improved, authorities continue to monitor conditions in southern regions, where the storm’s effects are still being felt.
