Korea Braces for Snow and Rain on East Coast, Up to 20 cm
The Korea Meteorological Administration warned of precipitation, including snow, moving along Korea’s east coast and into Gangwon Province from December 12 to 13, with some areas expected to receive up to about 20 centimeters of snow. The agency said rain or snow would start on the east coast and may extend inland, with thunder, lightning or hail possible in some inland areas.
Projected rainfall through December 13 varies by region, with 5 to 20 millimeters expected along the Gangwon east coast and highland areas, the eastern portions of Gyeongsang and its northern mountain ranges, Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Busan and Ulsan are forecast for 5 to 10 mm; Daegu and inland parts of Gyeongsang and Jeolla regions around 5 mm; and about 1 mm or less in Daejeon, Sejong, southeastern Chungnam, eastern Jeollabuk and eastern Jeollanam provinces.
Snowfall totals are also uneven. The Gangwon mountain areas could see 5 to 15 cm, with some locations exceeding 20 cm. Ulleungdo and Dokdo are forecast to accumulate 3 to 8 cm, while northeastern inland Gyeongsbuk could see 1 to 5 cm. On the east coast of Gangwon, snowfall is projected at 1 to 3 cm, with less than 1 cm on parts of the northern coastal area of Gyeongsbuk.
Temperatures over the weekend are expected to stay near normal for December. Saturday morning is forecast to dip between -4 and 4 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs of 9 to 15 degrees. Sunday morning could be -1 to 6 degrees, followed by similar daytime highs of 9 to 15 degrees. Next week and into mid-December are expected to bring more springlike conditions, with morning lows around -1 to 9 degrees and daytime highs between 10 and 16 degrees, though the Korea Meteorological Administration cautions that the daily temperature swing could exceed 15 degrees in some areas.
Safety and infrastructure concerns accompany the forecast. The agency warns of ongoing wildfire risk due to dry air, frost on crops, and potential hazards from thawing ground, including landslides and falling rocks in vulnerable areas. Travelers and outdoor enthusiasts near Seoraksan National Park and along the east coast are advised to monitor advisories and road conditions.
Air quality is variable. The Ministry for Climate, Energy and Environment said fine dust levels were “bad” in the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheong, Gwangju and Jeonbuk, with other regions at “normal.” Jeollanam-do and Jeju were expected to rise to “bad” levels from the afternoon. By December 13, air quality was forecast to range from “good” to “moderate” nationwide, though the southwestern Honam region and Jeju were anticipated to remain at “bad” levels during the early morning hours.
Why this matters beyond Korea: Korea’s weather patterns impact its sizeable manufacturing and technology sectors, including the global electronics supply chain that underpins many U.S. industries. Snow and ice can disrupt transportation, logistics, and factory operations, while thaw periods raise the risk of landslides, road closures, and infrastructure damage. Severe or prolonged cold snaps can affect energy demand and interregional shipments, with ripple effects on prices and production schedules in components and devices that feed into American markets. The forecast also underscores ongoing concerns about air quality and climate-related hazards, which intersect with U.S.–Korea policy on environment, resilience, and supply chain security. Finally, as Korea remains a hub for tourism and consumer activity, sharp temperature swings and winter weather can influence travel patterns and consumer behavior that have broader cultural and economic resonance for international audiences.