As of 8 a.m., weather authorities reported snowfall of 1 to 3 centimeters per hour in central and southern regions, with some areas experiencing up to 5 centimeters per hour.
Mount Halla on the southern island of Jeju recorded an accumulation of 127.2 centimeters.
Elsewhere, 84.9 centimeters were reported in Seolcheonbong in the southwestern county of Muju, North Jeolla Province, and 46.8 centimeters in Hangnobong in the northeastern county of Goseong, Gangwon Province.
In Seoul, the central Jongno District reported 2.5 centimeters, while heavier snowfalls of 13.8 centimeters were recorded in the southwestern Gwanak District.
The snowfall was accompanied by frigid temperatures, with morning lows ranging from minus 10 degrees Celsius to 0 C nationwide, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
According to the Korea Expressway Corp., travel times from Seoul to Busan nearly doubled to 7 hours and 20 minutes.
Similarly, it took an estimated 6 hours and 20 minutes to drive from Seoul to Gwangju or Daegu, and 3 hours and 50 minutes to reach Gangneung.
Road authorities warned of slippery conditions and urged drivers to use snow chains and exercise caution.
The KMA forecast additional snowfall of up to 20 centimeters in parts of Chungcheong and Jeolla provinces by Wednesday, with most other regions expecting 5 to 15 centimeters.
The cold snap is also expected to intensify, with morning lows dropping to minus 14 C in some central regions.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
