Seoul blanketed by heaviest November snow on record

5 hours ago

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Seoul has recorded its heaviest November snowfall since records began over a century ago in 1907.

Seoul weather - Figure 1
Photo BBC News

The South Korean capital was covered with at least 16 cm of snow on Wednesday - beating the city's previous record of 12.4cm from November 1972.

It caused significant disruption across the country, with local media reporting that flights had been grounded, roads closed, and that there were delays to transport services.

Seoul weather - Figure 2
Photo BBC News

At least one person is reported to have died in a weather-related traffic accident near Seoul.

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Gyeongbokgung Palace in downtown Seoul was dusted with snow

Seoul weather - Figure 3
Photo BBC News

EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Traffic accidents have been caused by the icy conditions

Youn Ki-han, the head of Seoul's Meteorology Forecast Division, told the AFP news agency that the heavy snowfall was due to strong westerly winds and a "significant temperature difference between the sea surface and the cold air".

Seoul weather - Figure 4
Photo BBC News

It is expected to continue through Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.

The cold weather comes after the region experienced a period of mild autumn temperatures.

"Just last week, I felt that the November autumn was a bit warm, but in just one week it feels like it's turned into a winter wonderland, which was quite a contrast," said businessman Bae Joo-han.

Seoul weather - Figure 5
Photo BBC News

"So I came out onto the streets today to enjoy the first snowfall of this winter."

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

The first snow of the season was also the heaviest November snowfall since modern weather observations began in 1907

Seoul weather - Figure 6
Photo BBC News

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

AFP via Getty Images

Some flight schedules were impacted by the weather.

Bloomberg via Getty Images

Seoul weather - Figure 7
Photo BBC News
Read more
This week's most popular news