Cold winds from the north pole brought a record breaking amount of snow to Jeju. Meteorologists say it is the most snowfall on the island in 32 years. Meanwhile, temperatures fell to minus 6.4 in Seogwipo, an all-time low. Analysts believe that the icy winds and heavy snow may be the result of global warming. Lee Hee-jung reports.
[slug] 150 cm of heavy snow on Witse Oreum, Hallasan Mountain
Heavy snow hit Jeju accompanied by strong winds. For the past four days snow has been blanketing Witse Oreum on Mount Halla, with the depth there reaching 150 centimeters.
Both Jeju and Seogwipo were also covered in white. On the 24th, Jeju City saw 12 centimeters of snowfall, a level not seen since 1984.
[camera] Park Byeong-joon
The amount of snow we have seen recently is the third such severe weather event. It is especially unusual considering the fact that the snow does not accumulate in coastal areas.
[slug] Seogwipo temperatures plummet to record low
It’s been 7 years since such a harsh cold snap hit the island, with temperatures falling below zero. Temperatures in Seogwipo fell to minus 6.4 degrees, which is the lowest on record since observations began in 1961.
The unusually cold weather is thought to be a result of global warming.
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Cold air delivered by a polar vortex, that can drop to as cold as 50 degrees below zero has been blown over South Korea. Usually, temperate air currents keep this phenomenon at arms length, but global warming has weakened these defences, which then allowed the polar vortex to extend its range. ##### c.g out ####
[slug] Snowfall blamed on blast of cold air meeting warm sea waters
When cold north pole air meets warm sea temperatures, this can cause giant clouds to form, which is the reason behind this recent deluge of snow. It is a particularly unusual event.
INTERVIEW Oh Young-sook / Jeju Regional Office of Meteorology South-north air currents grew stronger compared to east-west currents, and this allowed cold air to flow towards the south, which in turn brought cold winds to Jeju. <인터뷰:오영숙 제주지방기상청 예보관> "대기의 동서 흐름보다는 남북 흐름이 강화되면서 시베리아의 영하 35도의 차가운 공기가 남해안까지 남하하면서 제주도에 한파가 찾아왔습니다"
[REPORTER] Lee Hee-jung
The cold weather that has turned Jeju into a winter wonderland over the past four days is slowly receding. Warmer weather is expected next month in comparison with previous years, but with a caveat of forecasted sudden temperature drops.
