South Korea braced for a dramatic swing back to winter on Friday, March 6, 2026, as a powerful weather system swept across the country, bringing widespread rain and snow, plunging temperatures, and gusty winds. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), nearly every region experienced some form of precipitation, with the heaviest snow falling in the mountainous areas of Gangwon Province and the northeastern reaches of Gyeonggi.
For residents in the Seoul metropolitan area, the day began with rain that quickly turned to snow as temperatures dropped in the evening. The KMA forecasted that precipitation would persist through the early morning hours, with a brief lull mid-morning before returning from noon to evening. Expected snowfall for Seoul, Incheon, and the western coast of Gyeonggi ranged from 1 to 3 centimeters, while northeastern Gyeonggi could see between 2 and 7 centimeters, and other inland areas up to 5 centimeters. "Between late night March 5 and early morning March 6, strong snowfall of 1–3 centimeters per hour is expected mainly in northeastern Gyeonggi; a heavy snow advisory is issued for Gapyeong," reported 중앙신문.
The story was similar nationwide. 서울와이어 noted that most regions would see rain or snow, with the central and North Jeolla regions expecting intermittent precipitation through the night. Jeju Island, meanwhile, was set to experience rain or snow until the afternoon. Gangwon’s mountainous regions were especially hard hit, with forecasts predicting 5 to 10 centimeters of snow—and some areas possibly exceeding 15 centimeters. Inland Gangwon and northeastern Gyeonggi could receive up to 8 centimeters, according to MBN.
As the weather system moved through, temperatures took a sharp dive. The morning lows on March 6 ranged from -2°C to 9°C, but the chill was felt more keenly due to strong winds. In Seoul, the day started at 1°C, but wind chills made it feel below freezing. The daytime high in the capital was just 6°C—about 7 degrees lower than the previous day—with a wind chill of only 3°C. Most regions, including Gwangju, saw daytime highs in the single digits. The drop didn’t stop there: by Saturday morning, the wind chill in Seoul was expected to plummet to -6°C, marking a return to winter-like conditions, as 채널A reported.
Travelers and commuters faced additional hazards. The KMA warned that in areas where snow fell, visibility would be reduced and roads could become icy or snow-covered. Black ice was a particular concern on side streets, alleys, slopes, and shaded roads, posing significant risks for both drivers and pedestrians. "The Korea Meteorological Administration advises drivers to reduce speed and exercise caution due to poor visibility and slippery roads caused by snow or rain," 중앙신문 emphasized.
Wind was another major player in this late-season cold snap. From the afternoon of March 6, cold northwesterly gusts swept in, bringing winds of 35 to 55 kilometers per hour (10–15 meters per second) to Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do. The West Sea Islands braced for even stronger gusts—up to 70 kilometers per hour (20 meters per second)—with the possibility of a strong wind advisory being issued. Coastal waters were not spared: the central West Sea was expected to see waves as high as 3 meters, and winds between 25 and 55 kilometers per hour, raising the likelihood of a storm warning. 뉴스클레임 confirmed that in Jeju and most offshore areas, winds could reach 30–60 kilometers per hour (9–16 meters per second), with waves climbing to 4 meters.
While the snow and wind dominated headlines, air quality also became a concern. The influx of northwesterly winds carried foreign smog into the Seoul metropolitan area, resulting in poor air quality throughout the day. Fine dust levels were forecast to reach ‘bad’ in Seoul, northern and southern Gyeonggi, Gangwon Yeongseo, Daejeon, Sejong, Chungbuk, and Daegu, while other regions would see ‘normal’ levels. Incheon and Chungnam were expected to have ‘bad’ air quality in the morning, with Honam, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Jeju deteriorating by late afternoon, according to 퍼블릭타임스.
Looking at specific cities, the forecast for March 6 called for morning lows and daytime highs as follows: Seoul 1–2°C and 6°C, Incheon 1°C and 5–6°C, Suwon 2°C and 5–6°C, Chuncheon 0–1°C and 7°C, Gangneung 5°C and 9°C, Cheongju 2°C and 7°C, Daejeon 2°C and 8°C, Jeonju 3°C and 7°C, Gwangju 3°C and 9°C, Daegu 6°C and 11°C, Busan 9°C and 13–14°C, and Jeju 7°C and 9°C. These numbers were echoed across multiple outlets, including 뉴스클레임 and 채널A.
Sea conditions mirrored the turbulence on land. The East Sea was expected to see waves of 1.0 to 3.5 meters, the West Sea 0.5 to 2.0 meters nearshore and up to 3.0 meters farther out, and the South Sea 0.5 to 1.5 meters. Offshore, wave heights could reach up to 4 meters in some areas. Mariners were urged to exercise extreme caution, particularly in the central West Sea and around Jeju, where storm warnings were possible.
Despite the challenging weather, there was a silver lining for the weekend. By Saturday, March 7, skies were expected to clear across most of the country, except for the eastern coast of Gangwon, which would remain mostly cloudy. Morning lows would range from -7 to 1°C, with daytime highs from 4 to 10°C. Sunday, March 8, would bring mostly clear skies nationwide, with occasional afternoon clouds and temperatures gradually rebounding to highs of 6 to 12°C. The extended outlook from the KMA suggested a return to more typical early spring conditions next week, with clear days and milder temperatures, though the chill would linger in the mornings.
As South Korea grappled with this wintry blast, the message from meteorologists was clear: bundle up, drive carefully, and keep an eye on changing conditions. The rapid shift from early spring warmth back to icy winds and snow served as a sharp reminder that winter, it seems, wasn’t quite ready to let go.