South Korea braces for Friday snow in Gangwon, rain along east coast
A plum blossom scene in Sokcho, in Gangwon Province, is set against a backdrop of snow-covered Seoraksan Mountain, a view provided by the city. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts weather changes for Friday the 13th that could affect travel and daily life across the country.
The forecast shows a chilly start next Friday, with morning lows of -2 to 4 degrees Celsius and daytime highs of 6 to 14 degrees. In the afternoon, rain or snow is expected along the eastern coast, the mountainous areas of Gangwon, the northeastern mountains of North Gyeongsang, and the eastern inland regions of Busan, Ulsan and southeastern Gyeongsang.
Snow accumulation is likely to be heaviest in the Gangwon mountain zones, with projections of 5 to 15 centimeters and some areas exceeding 20 centimeters. Along the Gangwon eastern coast, snowfall is forecast at 1 to 3 cm; in the northeastern Gyeongsang mountains, 1 to 5 cm; and in northeastern Gyeongsang coastal areas and Ulsan, less than 1 cm.
Rainfall totals are expected to range from 5 to 20 millimeters in the eastern coast and mountain regions, with 5 to 10 mm in Busan and Ulsan. Central Korea is expected to be mostly clear, turning cloudy in the afternoon, while southern regions and Jeju Island are forecast to be partly cloudy with occasional cloudiness. The East Coast is expected to remain generally cloudy.
Air quality is forecast to be Good to Moderate nationwide. However, in the Honam region and Jeju, the air quality could temporarily deteriorate to unhealthy levels in the early morning hours.
Sea conditions show East Sea waves of 1.0 to 3.5 meters, West Sea waves of 0.5 to 1.0 meter, and South Sea waves of 0.5 to 2.5 meters. Offshore nearshore seas within about 200 kilometers show East and South lines at 1.0 to 3.5 meters, and the West at 0.5 to 1.5 meters.
Why this matters beyond Korea: U.S. readers should note that the forecast has implications for regional supply chains and cross-border trade. South Korea’s eastern ports and industrial hubs—along with key rail and road arteries—can experience disruption from snow, sleet, or heavy rain, affecting electronics, automotive, and consumer goods shipments and energy demand. Weather conditions in this corridor also interact with shipping lanes and markets across Northeast Asia, influencing prices, lead times, and risk for companies with supply networks that include Korea, Japan, and parts of China.
The Korea Meteorological Administration issued this forecast to help local travelers, logistics operators, and businesses plan for the coming days. For U.S. readers, such regional weather updates can inform risk assessments and contingency planning for imports, exports, and manufacturing schedules tied to Korean supply chains.