Snow, Rain Expected Nationwide on Gyeongchip as Winter Retreats

On March 5, the traditional Korean solar term Gyeongchip—when hibernating frogs are said to awaken—clouds will build from late afternoon, bringing rain or snow to most parts of the country.

A low-pressure trough passing through is forecast to bring precipitation nationwide starting Wednesday night. Expected rainfall is 5-20mm for Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Daejeon, Sejong, South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong, Gwangju, South Jeolla, North Jeolla, and the southern coast and western inland areas of South Gyeongsang.

Heavy snow is expected in Gangwon's mountainous regions. Forecast accumulations are 5-10cm for Gangwon mountain areas and 3-8cm for central and northern inland Gangwon. Preparations are particularly necessary as significant snowfall is forecast to arrive while snow from the March 1 Independence Movement Day holiday weekend remains unmelted.

During the overnight hours from Wednesday to Thursday, Gangwon mountain areas and central-northern inland regions could receive heavy snowfall of 1-3cm per hour, requiring extra caution.

Expected snow accumulations for March 5-6 are: Gangwon mountain areas 5-10cm (up to 15cm or more); central and northern inland Gangwon 3-8cm; northern Gyeonggi, southeastern Gyeonggi, southern inland Gangwon, and northern North Chungcheong 1-5cm; central and southern North Chungcheong, Sejong, and northern South Chungcheong 1-3cm; Daejeon, southern South Chungcheong, eastern North Jeolla, eastern inland South Jeolla (near Jirisan), northeastern Gyeongbuk mountain areas, western inland South Gyeongsang (near Jirisan), and Jeju mountain areas approximately 1cm; Seoul, Incheon, and southwestern Gyeonggi less than 1cm.

Expected rainfall is 5-20mm for most regions, 5-10mm for the East Coast and Yeongnam region including Gangwon's East Coast, Busan, Ulsan, central and eastern inland South Gyeongsang, Daegu, North Gyeongsang, Ulleungdo, and Dokdo, and less than 5mm for the West Sea Five Islands.

Morning lows on Wednesday will range from -3 to 6 degrees Celsius, with afternoon highs of 10-16 degrees. Inland areas will see temperature swings exceeding 15 degrees between day and night.

Forecast lows and highs for major cities are: Seoul 2°C and 14°C; Incheon 1°C and 11°C; Daejeon -1°C and 16°C; Gwangju 3°C and 16°C; Daegu 2°C and 16°C; Ulsan 4°C and 13°C; Busan 6°C and 14°C.

Swells will continue along the East Coast and Jeju coastal areas. High waves may crash strongly onto shores and occasionally overtop rocky outcrops and breakwaters, requiring precautions.