Seoul blanketed by heaviest November snow on record

On November 27, 2024, Seoul, the capital of South Korea, experienced an extraordinary weather event as it recorded its heaviest November snowfall since weather records began in 1907. The city was blanketed with at least 16 centimeters of snow, surpassing the previous record of 12. 4 centimeters set in November 1972. This significant snowfall led to widespread disruptions across the country. Local news reports indicated that numerous flights were grounded, roads were closed, and public transportation services faced delays. Tragically, there was at least one reported death due to a weather-related traffic accident near Seoul. Amidst the snowfall, tourists, including those from Thailand, were spotted wearing traditional Korean Hanbok dresses and capturing the picturesque scenes at Gyeongbokgung Palace, a historic site in downtown Seoul. The palace, covered in a thick layer of snow, looked enchanting and drew many visitors eager to take photos. The heavy snow also resulted in numerous traffic accidents, as icy conditions made driving hazardous. Cars were seen moving slowly along snow-covered roads in southern Seoul. Youn Ki-han, the head of the Meteorology Forecast Division in Seoul, explained to the AFP news agency that the heavy snowfall was caused by strong westerly winds and a significant temperature difference between the warm sea surface and the cold air. The snowfall is expected to continue through Wednesday night and into Thursday morning. This sudden cold weather followed a period of mild autumn temperatures, which had many residents surprised. Bae Joo-han, a businessman, remarked, 'Just last week, I felt that the November autumn was a bit warm, but in just one week, it feels like winter has arrived. I came out to enjoy the first snowfall of this winter. ' The first snow of the season was not only beautiful but also marked the heaviest November snowfall since modern weather observations began. Snow-covered trees stood in front of the tall skyscrapers in Yeouido Park, creating a stunning winter landscape. A woman in a long pink dress was seen walking gracefully along the Gyeongbok Palace, adding to the charm of the scene. The weather did impact some flight schedules, and workers were busy checking snow-covered Korean Air planes parked on the tarmac at Incheon International Airport, located west of Seoul. The first snowfall of the season transformed the city into a winter wonderland, captivating both locals and tourists alike.