South Korea Braces for East Coast Snow; Possible Disruptions to Semiconductors
Seoul — The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) warned that heavy snow and rain are forecast for the East Coast, with more than 20 centimeters of snow possible in parts of Gangwon Province through the 13th. The agency also said thunderstorms and hail could accompany the precipitation as a cold upper-air system interacts with moist air.
The forecast calls for precipitation to continue along the East Coast from this afternoon through the 13th. In mountainous areas, snow could fall at rates of 1–3 centimeters per hour, with some locations potentially seeing as much as 5 centimeters per hour at times.
Regional totals are expected to vary widely. Eastern Jeollanam-do and eastern Jeollabuk-do are projected to receive about 1 millimeter of rain, as are Daejeon, Sejong and the southeastern inland parts of Chungcheong. Daegu and inland areas of North and South Gyeongsang are forecast to see around 5 millimeters, while Busan and Ulsan could receive 5–10 millimeters. Gangwon’s East Coast, its mountainous areas, as well as Ulleungdo and Dokdo, are expected to accumulate 5–20 millimeters in total.
Snowfall is forecast to be heaviest in the Gangwon mountains, with accumulations of 5–15 centimeters and many areas reaching 20 centimeters or more. Gangwon’s East Coast is expected to see 1–3 centimeters, Ulleungdo and Dokdo 3–8 centimeters, the northern East Coast of Gyeongsangbuk-do less than 1 centimeter, and the northeastern mountains of Gyeongsangbuk-do about 1–5 centimeters.
The KMA cautioned that Gangwon already has substantial snow cover, so additional snowfall could raise safety risks. Residents are advised to monitor updates and travel advisories as conditions evolve.
After this surge of wintry weather, a high-pressure system is expected to move toward the West Sea, bringing early-spring conditions to the Korean Peninsula. Next week’s outlook is generally sunny or partly cloudy nationwide, with temperatures near seasonal norms.
Temperature forecasts place Seoul’s mornings next week at 3–5°C, with daytime highs around 12–13°C. Across the central region, daytime temperatures are expected to rise above 10°C, while the southern regions could exceed 15°C. The diurnal temperature range is projected to be wide, around 10°C.
Forecasters also noted a risk of frost in the mornings due to cooler nights and light winds. As daytime temperatures rise and the air dries, wildfire risk can increase in exposed areas. For U.S. readers, the weather matters because South Korea is a major global exporter of semiconductors, automobiles and ships, with key ports like Busan and Incheon playing a central role in Asia–Pacific supply chains. Weather disruptions can affect production schedules, shipments and the broader flow of electronics and other goods to U.S. markets.