Korea Weather: Plunging Temperatures & Strong Winds Nationwide
- South Korea is experiencing a prolonged cold wave, with temperatures plummeting and strong winds exacerbating the chill.
- As of January 22, 2026, Cheorwon, in Gangwon province, recorded the lowest temperature nationwide at minus 24.4 degrees Celsius (minus 11.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in Imnam-myeon, according to the...
- The cold snap initially interrupted autumn weather in late October, bringing the season’s first frost and ice to many regions, including Seoul.
South Korea Braces for Continued Cold Wave
South Korea is experiencing a prolonged cold wave, with temperatures plummeting and strong winds exacerbating the chill. The severe weather, which began to intensify in late October 2025, is expected to continue throughout the week, raising concerns for public health, and safety.
As of , Cheorwon, in Gangwon province, recorded the lowest temperature nationwide at minus 24.4 degrees Celsius (minus 11.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in Imnam-myeon, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The wind chill in that area reached a frigid minus 38 degrees Celsius (minus 36.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
The cold snap initially interrupted autumn weather in late October, bringing the season’s first frost and ice to many regions, including Seoul. The KMA reported that temperatures dropped between 1 and 8 degrees Celsius (2 and 14 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to .
Northern and high-altitude areas of Gangwon and Gyeonggi provinces, near the North Korean border, are among the coldest regions. Morning lows on included minus 18.8 degrees Celsius (minus 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in Gangwon’s Daegwallyeong, minus 17.3 degrees Celsius (0.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in Chuncheon, and minus 17.9 degrees Celsius (0.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in Paju, Gyeonggi province. Seoul recorded a morning low of minus 13.2 degrees Celsius (8.4 degrees Fahrenheit), while Incheon registered minus 12.5 degrees Celsius (9.5 degrees Fahrenheit), and Daejeon minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (10.2 degrees Fahrenheit).
The chill arrived earlier than usual this year. In Seoul, the first ice appeared 10 days earlier than in the previous year and six days earlier than average, while the first frost came nine days earlier than last year, matching the long-term average. North Gangneung in Gangwon province reported frost and ice 22 to 30 days earlier than the previous year.
A cold wave advisory was issued from 9 p.m. On , in parts of Gyeonggi, Gangwon, North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang provinces – the first such advisory of the autumn season. These advisories are issued when morning low temperatures are expected to drop more than 10 degrees Celsius from the previous day, reaching 3 degrees Celsius or lower, or are expected to be 3 degrees Celsius below the seasonal average.
The KMA forecasts that the severe cold spell will continue throughout the weekend.
Concerns are growing regarding the health of residents, particularly those serving in the military. A post sharing the temperature reading in Imnam-myeong on , quickly drew worried comments on an online community for parents of enlisted soldiers. Parents expressed concern for their sons stationed in cold regions, including Inje.
Between , and , a total of 221 cases of cold-related illnesses were reported nationwide, resulting in seven deaths, according to the Ministry of Interior and Safety’s Central Disaster and Safety Situation Room.
A recent characteristic of South Korea’s winter weather is that temperatures “swing” like a roller coaster, reportedly due to the effects of global warming, which has generally made winter weather milder overall.
While below-zero temperatures are not expected in Seoul, the capital is likely to see its lowest temperatures so far this autumn. Apparent temperatures are expected to be significantly lower than actual temperatures due to strong winds.