South Korea woke to sharply colder conditions on Saturday, with morning temperatures falling below freezing in many areas, according to KBS 뉴스. The broadcaster reported that a biting wind accompanied the drop, making the air feel even colder across the country.
Seoul recorded its first sub-zero morning of the autumn, with the wind chill pushing the apparent temperature to around -4°C, according to 연합뉴스. The cold arrived as the country marked 입동, the traditional start of winter on the lunar calendar, a timing 연합뉴스 linked to the early-winter conditions.
In Gyeonggi Province, Saturday morning temperatures were forecast to range between -5°C and 0°C, 뉴스1 reported, adding that fine dust levels were expected to be good. Northern parts of Gyeonggi Province also saw morning lows of -5°C, with strong winds making the cold feel more severe, according to 뉴시스. The same outlet reported that Incheon faced sub-zero temperatures on Saturday morning along with gusty winds that lowered the perceived temperature.
The reports point to a widespread cold morning rather than an isolated dip, with conditions spanning the capital region and surrounding provinces. Air quality, at least in Gyeonggi, was not expected to add to the discomfort.
Watch for updated forecasts on how long the cold spell will last and whether wind conditions ease over the weekend.