South Korea faces winter storm with rain and snow across coasts
Forecasters warn that Friday will bring a large temperature swing inland, with a possibility of rain or snow along the east coast. Morning lows are forecast between -2 and 4 degrees Celsius, while daytime highs range from 6 to 14 degrees.
In the central regions, skies are expected to be mostly clear in the morning but turn cloudy in the afternoon. The southern regions and Jeju Island are likely to have occasional cloud cover, while the east coast remains generally cloudy.
Busan and Ulsan are forecast to receive rain through the morning. In the afternoon, rain or snow is expected along the Gangwon east coast and mountains, as well as the eastern coast and northeastern mountains of North Gyeongsang Province.
Snowfall is expected in mountainous areas: 5 to 15 cm in Gangwon’s mountains, with some places possibly exceeding 20 cm; 1 to 5 cm in the northeastern mountains of Kyungbuk; and 3 to 8 cm on Ulleungdo and Dokdo.
Rainfall totals are anticipated at 5 to 20 mm in Gangwon’s east coast and mountains, and in Kyungbuk’s east coast and northeastern mountains, as well as on Ulleungdo and Dokdo; Busan and Ulsan are expected to receive 5 to 10 mm.
Travel conditions may deteriorate where rain or snow falls, with reduced visibility, slippery roads, and possible icy patches. Drivers are advised to exercise caution, especially on inland routes and in mountain areas.
Sea conditions show varying wave heights: the West Sea 0.5 to 1.0 meters, the South Sea 0.5 to 2.5 meters, and the East Sea 1.0 to 3.5 meters.
Why this matters for the United States: Korea is a key node in global supply chains, with Busan being one of the world’s busiest ports for electronics, autos, and consumer goods. Winter weather that disrupts shipping, port operations, or trucking in and out of regional hubs can ripple through U.S. manufacturing and retail logistics. Additionally, snow and ice in Korea’s mountains can affect regional travel and tourism flows, while East Sea conditions influence shipping routes in a area connected to Japan and China.