South Korea’s capital was blanketed on Wednesday by the heaviest snowfall in Seoul during November on record, with bad weather snarling traffic, knocking out power and grounding hundreds of flights as authorities braced for more snow in coming days.
SEOUL, South Korea – A deadly and historic November snowstorm paralyzed parts of South Korea on Wednesday, as heavy snow warnings led to widespread power outages and flight cancellations.
Visitors wearing traditional hanbok dresses are seen on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace amid heavy snowfall in central Seoul on November 27, 2024.
(ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP / Getty Images)
Seoul’s first snowfall of the season shattered a century-old record. The sudden temperature drop overnight transformed rain into heavy snow, accumulating over 6 inches in the capital city by 11 p.m. local time, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
Other surrounding metropolitan areas of Yongin-dong (13.4 inches), Baekam (13.1), Suwon (11.5) and Incheon (7.6) also saw large snow totals as reported by the KMA.
According to Reuters, this marked the heaviest November snowfall since records began in 1907. The previous record was 4.9 inches set on Nov. 28, 1972.
A woman walks along the Gyeongbok Palace on November 27, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.
(Chung Sung-Jun / Getty Images)
The extreme winter weather conditions led to widespread disruptions, including the deaths of at least two people in traffic accidents on highways east of Seoul, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency. Additionally, falling debris from buildings and construction sites, exacerbated by strong winds, injured pedestrians in the city.
Due to the strong winds, over 200 domestic flights were canceled or delayed, affecting airports nationwide. Additionally, at least 70 ferry services to islands were suspended, Reuters reported.
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A worker checks a Korean Air plane parked on the tarmac during snowfall as seen through a window at Incheon international airport, west of Seoul on November 27, 2024.
(JUNG YEON-JE / AFP / Getty Images)
Over 170 households in Seoul’s Seongbuk district lost power due to fallen trees, likely caused by the weight of heavy snow, Korea Electric Power Corp. told local media.
As more snow is forecast for the coming days, authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and take precautions.
The KMA has issued a weather warning, forecasting up to an inch or more of heavy, wet snow per hour through Thursday morning, primarily affecting the central region and some southern inland areas.
Due to the snow’s high moisture content, the weather agency warned of additional potential damage to infrastructure and property.