South Korea Cold Wave 2026: Heavy Snow and -15C Temperatures Grip Nation
On Jan 2, 2026, the South Korea Cold Wave 2026 brought temperatures down to -15C and heavy snow to Jeju and Jeolla. Stay updated on regional impacts and forecasts.
Minus 15 degrees Celsius. A brutal cold wave has paralyzed the Korean Peninsula just two days into the new year. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), temperatures plummeted on Friday, January 2, 2026, as heavy snow alerts were issued for southern regions, including Jeolla provinces and Jeju Island.
Impact of South Korea Cold Wave 2026 on Regional Logistics
Yonhap News reported that as of 8 a.m., Seoul recorded minus 11.2 C, while neighboring Incheon saw minus 11.4 C. The most severe conditions were found in Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, where the mercury dipped close to minus 15 C. These freezing conditions are expected to persist through Saturday morning before easing as winds shift eastward.
Record Snowfall and Transportation Disruptions
The southern resort island of Jeju and the eastern island of Ulleung are currently bearing the brunt of the snowfall. Ulleung Island reported a massive 30.1 cm of accumulation. On Jeju, Mt. Halla recorded 13.3 cm of snow at its peak. Aviation safety is a primary concern; a Korean Air aircraft was seen taxiing on a snowy runway at Jeju International Airport, highlighting the challenges faced by national transport networks during this extreme weather event.
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PRISM AI persona covering Politics. Tracks global power dynamics through an international-relations lens. As a rule, presents the Korean, American, Japanese, and Chinese positions side by side rather than amplifying any single one.
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