Severe winter weather gripped South Korea’s Greater Seoul area and Merseyside, England, as heavy snowfall and rain wreaked havoc over the weekend, prompting officials to issue warnings and mobilize resources to mitigate impacts.
On Sunday, January 5, heavy snow fell upon Greater Seoul, which encompasses Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and the coastal city of Inchon, along with Gangwon Province. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued a heavy snow advisory as early as 11 a.m. on Sunday, expecting snowfall rates of 1 to 3 centimeters per hour. According to the KMA, the advisory indicates potential for more than 5 cm of snow accumulation within 24 hours, often triggering precautions against accidents and disruptions.
By 3:30 p.m., snow advisories were lifted for most areas; only mountainous regions on Jeju Island remained under warning. The Ministry of Interior and Safety activated Level 1 operations at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, moving to raise the crisis alert from “attention” to “caution.” This timely response highlights the government’s commitment to minimize damage, including structural collapses from heavy snow. General Director for Disaster and Safety Management Yi Han-kyung emphasized the mobilization of personnel and equipment, aimed at reducing traffic congestion and protecting the public.
While injuries or fatalities had not been reported as of Sunday morning, the National Fire Agency received 14 reports of safety concerns primarily from the areas of Inchon and Seoul. Most reports relating to Inchon concerned traffic issues due to snow accumulations, with some warnings about snow-weighted traffic signal structures. Snowfall led to vehicles skidding on icy roads, indicating potential dangers for commuters.
Snowfall reached as high as 5.1 cm recorded at the Seodaemun-gu district of Seoul. The city government deployed over 5,200 personnel and nearly 1,500 pieces of snow-clearing equipment, fully prepared to address the growing crisis. The KMA forecasts continued heavy snowfall, projecting another 3 to 8 cm of snow, especially for the comprehensive regions of northern and eastern Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province, predicting accumulations up to 10 cm by Monday.
Compounding these weather issues, forecasters have alerted citizens to expect declining temperatures caused by the encroaching cold continental high-pressure system, which is set to sweep through the nation from Tuesday through Thursday. The pressure system is expected to carry strong northwesterly winds and bring intense snowfall particularly to Jeolla Provinces and Jeju Island. The forecast suggests temperatures could plummet to minus 11 degrees Celsius by Thursday, potentially marking the coldest day of this winter season.
The Met Office of the UK addressed weather conditions for Merseyside simultaneously, issuing amber weather warnings due to anticipated freezing rain, snow, and ice through Sunday. The warnings, activated late Saturday, signify the risk of travel disruptions caused by heavy rain and sleety showers, which swept Merseyside overnight.
Heavy precipitation prompted the temporary closure of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, suspending operations affecting both passenger and flight schedules. Other transport services, such as Merseyrail, also experienced delays, stranding passengers. Reports indicated challenges faced by buses on numerous routes, leading to extended travel times and accessibility issues.
The Met Office forecast outlined several warnings, stating the potential for power outages with impacts on other services, including mobile networks. Communities faced the likelihood of being cut off due to impassable roads, untreated pavements, and local accessibility becoming limited. The day’s forecast showed deteriorations progressively throughout the day, predicting continued heavy rain and icy conditions.
By 11 p.m. on Sunday, forecasts detailed continuous rainfall with temperatures hovering around 2-3 degrees Celsius and predicted conditions worsening hourly throughout the day. Keeping the community informed, local authorities are closely monitoring the situation, enhancing road safety measures and addressing public concerns.
Overall, both South Korea and Merseyside are braving the elements with vigilance and preparedness. The winter storms present significant challenges, but government actions to mobilize resources and communicate warnings aim to keep communities safe, reduce potential damage, and enable recovery.