South Korea faces chilly start as East Coast snow lingers; weekend mostly cloudy
A milder day is forecast across much of South Korea, with Seoul currently around 2.3°C and a daytime high expected near 12°C, softer than yesterday. Officials advise warm clothing to cope with the notable temperature swing between morning and afternoon.
Snow and cold continued along the East Coast overnight. Ulleungdo and Dokdo remain under a heavy snow advisory, even as other regions dry out. In the inland areas near Gangneung, snowfall accumulations reached about 24.8 cm at Sapdangnyeong Pass and 20.1 cm in Samcheok.
By this afternoon, a further 5 cm of snow is expected to fall in the highlands of Gangwon and the northeast mountains of North Gyeongsang, with around 1 cm anticipated in other areas. Outside the East Sea coast, skies are expected to be mostly clear.
Current temperatures across major cities show a chilly start: Seoul 2.3°C, Daejeon about 2°C, and Changwon around 4.9°C. The daytime highs will generally be around 12°C in Seoul and about 11°C in Daegu and Busan, while Gangneung on the East Coast will stay relatively cool with a forecast high near 7°C.
Looking ahead to the weekend and holidays, the weather is expected to be mostly cloudy, with early springlike conditions persisting in the region.
Safety is a concern where precipitation has fallen or is ongoing. Icy patches and slick roads are likely on slides and intersections, so pedestrians and drivers should exercise extra caution today and be aware of changing road conditions.
Why this matters for the United States: South Korea is a major global supplier of semiconductors and electronics. Weather-driven disruptions to production or transport can ripple through international supply chains, potentially affecting U.S. manufacturers and consumer electronics timelines. Snow and ice on the Korean peninsula can influence port operations, trucking, and aircraft schedules that connect Asia with North America. The forecast also underscores how regional winter weather patterns can impact energy demand, commuter travel, and business continuity for multinational firms with operations or partners in Korea.