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[Weather] Risk of wildfires remains dangerously high, bad dust levels nationwide

2025/03/25 10:00

Extreme dryness continues across the country, and the risk of wildfires remains dangerously high. Dry weather alerts have expanded into Gangwon-do and more southern areas. On top of that, strong winds are expected, along the west coast and eastern regions, where a strong wind advisory could be issued. AND this combination creates the perfect conditions for fires to spread rapidly. The wildfire crisis alert level remains at its highest in southern areas. If you're outdoors, avoid any activities that could spark a fire, like burning trash. Air quality is another major concern today, with yellow dust and ultrafine dust affecting the entire country. Pollution levels could briefly reach very unhealthy levels. Mostly sunny skies will be blurred with dust, and highs will stay on the warmer side. Seoul and Busan get up to 19 degrees. Much-needed rain is on the way tomorrow from Jeju and southern coastal areas spreading nationwide by Thursday. Meanwhile, let's do our part to prevent wildfires to keep communities safe.

[Weather] Dry conditions across the country, dusty air continues nationwide tomorrow

2025/03/24 20:00

Currently, the highest level of forest fire crisis warning, "severe" level is in effect in the southern regions. In addition, the dry weather warnings have also been expanded and strengthened. With gusty winds blowing, it is very important to take extra precautions to prevent wildfires. Meanwhile, the air stays dusty across the country. Due to the additional yellow dust, the concentration of ultra-fine dust tomorrow will stay at "bad" levels nationwide. Please wear a protective mask when you are outside. Tomorrow morning will start warmly across the country with Gwangju and Daegu at 9 degrees Celsius, and Busan at 11 degrees. Highs will jump to 20 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, 24 degrees in Daejeon and Gwangju. Rain is expected on Wednesday on Jeju Island and the south coast, and it will spread across the country by Thursday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Uiseong wildfires enter day 3 as fires rage across S. Korea

2025/03/24 20:00

The wildfires in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province have now entered their third day. Despite major firefighting efforts, strong winds continue to spread the flames, making the difficult situation even worse. Hundreds of residents have been forced to evacuate. Our Kim Jung-sil has the latest. The wildfires in Uiseong-gun county, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, are now in their third day. The flames have spread to neighboring Andong city, prompting evacuation orders as strong winds worsen the situation. The containment rate has dropped from 71% at noon on Monday to just 65% by 3 p.m. Wind gusts reaching over 125 kilometers per hour have worsened the situation as the flames spread rapidly. As of Monday afternoon, over 110 buildings, including homes and warehouses, have been destroyed in Uiseong, along with 90 hectares of crops. More than 1,700 evacuees have sought shelter in local facilities, with the number expected to rise. Firefighting helicopters are working continuously, but with stronger winds and nightfall approaching, containment remains a challenge. On the day of his reinstatement, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited the wildfire command center and shelters in Uiseong to support displaced residents. He stressed the importance of protecting firefighting personnel and ensuring aid for affected communities, including housing and financial assistance. At least 27 locations nationwide are being affected by simultaneous wildfires that broke out over the weekend. Four firefighting personnel have lost their lives while battling the flames in southern Gyeongsangnam-do Province. Officials are urging residents to stay informed and evacuate when instructed. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.

[Weather] Dry weather warnings in place, ultra-fine dust nationwide tomorrow

2025/03/24 17:00

More than ever, we need to pay more attention to not leaving any embers that could become fires. The forest fire crisis warning level in southern regions is at a "severe" level currently. In addition, dry weather warnings are in place mainly in the east of the country. On top of that, strong winds of around 50 to 70 kilometers per hour are expected throughout the country today. The view is also stuffy due to the dust in the air. With the additional yellow dust flowing in, the concentration of ultra-fine dust will stay at "bad" levels nationwide tomorrow. Please wear a protective mask when you go outside. Tomorrow morning will start warmly across the country with Seoul, Chuncheon, and Gyeongju at 8 degrees Celsius. Highs will jump to 20 degrees in Seoul and Chuncheon, 25 degrees in Daegu and Jeju. More rain will begin on Wednesday in Jeju Island and the south coast, and it will spread all over the country by Thursday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

Wildfires spread in S. Korea amid strong winds over weekend

2025/03/24 17:00

Wildfires here that began late last week took the lives of four people including firefighters and forced over two thousand people to flee. What's more unrelenting winds have been hindering efforts to ease the blaze. Our Choi Soo-hyung has the latest. Houses completely burned down, with collapsed roofs and blackened walls. In Sancheong-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, the whole of Oegong Village was covered in smoke over the weekend, and six houses were destroyed. "The fire sparks were flying in all directions. With strong winds in the afternoon, the fire spread across the river." The wildfire started last Friday afternoon on a hillside in Sancheong-gun County and spread rapidly due to strong winds. Three firefighters and one government official from Changnyeong-gun County died while fighting the fire, and the county has declared a mourning period until March 27th. It is reported that it seems they were trapped while clearing embers on the mountainside as shifting winds reignited the flames. An area of around 14 square kilometers, about the size of 1,900 football fields, has been reduced to ashes. As of Monday morning, 65 percent of the fire had been contained. Large wildfires also broke out in other parts of the country, including Uiseong-gun County in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Ulju-gun in Ulsan over the weekend. The total area burned is about 87 square kilometers, roughly the size of 12,000 football fields. Nearly 160 homes have been destroyed, and around 2,000 residents have been temporarily evacuated. The Korea Heritage Service has confirmed that three national heritage sites, including a ginkgo tree, which was over 900 years old, have been destroyed in the fire. Currently, the government is deploying over 100 helicopters and almost 9,000 personnel to put out the fires. The cause of the wildfires has not been determined yet as the firefighting efforts are ongoing, but they are tentatively believed to be accidental caused by acts such as welding or from burning gardening waste from tombs or graves. The Korea Meteorological Administration said that the wildfires were made worse by the severe dryness in forested areas and strong spring gusts. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Weather] Wildfires sweep South Korea, poor air quality nationwide

2025/03/24 10:00

Wildfires are breaking out across the country as severe dry and windy conditions continue. Today looks like another day with an extreme risk of fire. A dry weather advisory is in place, across the eastern regions. In particular, Daegu and the eastern coastal areas of Gyeongsangbuk-do are under a dry weather warning. Wildfire crisis alert levels are set at the highest, "Severe" for the Chungcheong-do provinces and and southern regions. Adding to the fire risk, strong winds will be sweeping across the country today. Even stronger winds in mountainous areas. Air quality will remain bad. Ultrafine dust levels will be in the "unhealthy" range across most of the country. On top of that, yellow dust from recent storms is moving which could further impact air conditions. Afternoon highs will be 2 to 5 degrees lower today at 19 degrees in the capital, Daegu at 24 degrees under partly cloudy skies. Much-needed nationwide rain will not arrive until Thursday, so extreme caution against wildfire is absolutely necessary.

Wildfires spread in S. Korea amid strong winds over weekend

2025/03/24 10:00

Last weekend, wildfires across South Korea killed four workers including firefighters and caused the evacuation of more than 1-thousand people. Choi Soo-hyung reports. Houses completely burned down, with collapsed roofs and blackened walls. In Sancheong-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, the whole of Oegong Village was covered in smoke over the weekend, and six houses were destroyed. "The fire sparks were flying in all directions. With strong winds in the afternoon, the fire spread across the river." The wildfire started last Friday afternoon on a hillside in Sancheong-gun County and spread rapidly due to strong winds. Four government workers from Changnyeong-gun County died while fighting the fire, and the county has declared a mourning period until March 27th. An area of around 13 square kilometers, about the size of 1,900 football fields, has been reduced to ashes. The fire spread to the nearby Hadong-gun County, burning a ginkgo tree, which was over 900 years old and a national heritage. As of Sunday, 65 percent of the fire had been contained. Large wildfires also broke out in other parts of the country, including Uiseong-gun County in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Ulju-gun in Ulsan over the weekend. The total area burned is about 32 square kilometers, roughly the size of 4,600 football fields. Nearly 40 homes have been destroyed, and over 1,500 residents have been temporarily evacuated. The Cultural Heritage Administration has confirmed that three national heritage sites, including the ginkgo tree, have been destroyed in the fire. Currently, the government is deploying over 100 helicopters and more than 9,000 personnel to put out the fires. The cause of the wildfires has not been determined yet as the firefighting efforts are ongoing, but they are tentatively believed to be accidental caused by acts such as welding and tomb sweeping. The Korea Meteorological Administration said that the wildfires were made worse by the severe dryness in forested areas and strong spring gusts. On Sunday, Acting President Choi Sang-mok declared Sancheong-gun County, the hardest-hit area, a special disaster zone and is considering declaring Uiseong-gun and Ulju-gun counties disaster zones as well. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News.

[Weather] Warm conditions across the country for the time being, ultra-fine dust continues

2025/03/21 20:00

Finally, the cold snap has receded, and the spring weather has come again. It rose to around 17 degrees Celsius during the day in Seoul today. Temperatures will rise even higher to 19 degrees on Saturday and 22 degrees on Sunday. With large daily temperature gaps, make sure to dress in layers. However, the air has been dusty with this warm spring weather. Stuffy air will continue tomorrow in the western regions with "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust in the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheongnam-do Province, the Jeolla-do provinces, and Jeju Island. You should wear a protective mask when going outside. On Saturday morning, Daejeon and Gwangju will start off at 6 degrees, Jeju at 13 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 20 degrees in Gwangju, 25 degrees in Daegu and Gyeongju. For the time being, warm conditions of around 20 degrees will continue. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Weather] Warm spring weather continues during the weekend with dusty air

2025/03/21 17:00

The cold snap has gone away ahead of the weekend. It rose to around 17 degrees Celsius during the day in Seoul today. Temperatures will jump to 19 degrees on Saturday and 22 degrees on Sunday, as warm as late April to early May already. With huge temperature gaps, make sure to dress in layers. However, uninvited guests are flowing in with this warm spring weather. Stuffy air will continue tomorrow in the western regions with "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust in the Seoul metropolitan area, Chungcheongnam-do Province, the Jeolla-do provinces, and Jeju Island. It's necessary to wear a protective mask when you are outside. On Saturday morning, Daejeon and Gwangju will start off at 6 degrees, Busan at 9 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 20 degrees in Gwangju, 25 degrees in Daegu and Gyeongju. Temperatures are expected to stay at around 20 degrees for the time being. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Weather] Big warm up ahead but poor air quality stays

2025/03/21 10:00

It's hard to believe that just three days ago, the capital was covered in snow, but now, spring warmth is in full swing! Today will be even warmer and temperatures will rise even further over the weekend. In Seoul, we're expecting highs of 22 degrees Celsius on Sunday. The skies will stay mostly clear, but the air quality isn't great. With dust continuing to blow in from the west, most areas will see high concentrations throughout the day. Meanwhile, strong wind advisories remain in place along the east coast, and gusty winds will continue in those areas. Ulsan and nearby areas are under dry weather advisories. Make sure to stay cautious of fire risks. By the afternoon, we'll see temperatures going anywhere from 1 to 5 degrees higher than yesterday. Topping out at 17 degrees in the capital, Daegu at 22 degrees. The mild and sunny spring weather will continue into early next week. However, the temperature swings will remain quite large, so keep that in mind when dressing for the day.

[Weather] April-like warmth hits Korea but dusty in western regions

2025/03/20 20:00

The spring cold that gripped much of Korea for the last few days has eased as we are welcoming Spring Equinox today. Temperatures jumped up quite a bit this afternoon, and the morning jacket felt too warm in the afternoon but was needed again for the evening commute. It will feel warmer tomorrow, feeling more like mid-April. Now in terms of air quality, the smog that moved into western regions and parts of Gangwon-do today is forecast to remain through tomorrow. So be sure to keep a face mask handy. Tomorrow morning should be more manageable under sunny skies with most parts beginning the day in single figures. Then there will be a big jump in highs, getting up to 18 degrees Celsius in the capital, and Chuncheon, Daegu and Gyeongju seeing highs of 22 degrees Celsius. By the weekend, it will feel more like the end of April on Sunday at a high of 21 degrees Celsius in the capital. Hopefully the air quality isn't too bad. That's Korea for you, here's a look at the international weather conditions.

April warmth ahead under sunny skies but bad dust levels

2025/03/20 17:00

It's Spring Equinox today and spring is making its way in. Some cherry blossoms are already starting to bloom in some parts of Busan even before the official season begins! A morning jacket felt almost too warm in the afternoon and it will feel warmer tomorrow, feeling more like mid-April. But we have to talk about air quality. Smog that moved into western regions and parts of Gangwon-do today will remain through tomorrow. Tomorrow morning should be more manageable under sunny skies. Those in Chuncheon should notice a big rise in morning temperatures starting off at 3 degrees Celsius. Then highs will hike to 18 degrees, so as here in the capital. Daegu and Gyeongju will be seeing highs of 22 degrees Celsius. By the weekend, we're expecting temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. It will feel more like the end of April on Sunday at a high of 21 degrees Celsius. Hopefully the air quality is promising for us. That's Korea for you, here's a look at the international weather conditions.

[Weather] Spring warmth returns on this Spring Equinox but air quality issues in most parts

2025/03/20 10:00

Today is the Spring Equinox, the day when daylight and nighttime hours are nearly equal. And just as the season suggests, the lingering chill is finally backing off this afternoon! Temperatures will jump quite a bit from yesterday. Now, as the cold eases, air quality is becoming an issue. Ultrafine dust levels will be bad across the capital area, Chungcheong-do, and Jeolla-do Provinces and Daegu. Meanwhile, eastern regions may see temporary spikes in pollution, especially in the morning and late at night. On the bright side, the sky will stay clear throughout the day nationwide but with strong winds. The east coast might see typhoon force gusts. Stay safe. The afternoon should feel much warmer going 4 to 9 degrees higher than Wednesday! Seoul will climb to 14 degrees Celsius, Gwangju and Busan getting up to 15 degrees. Looking ahead to the weekend, expect more sunshine and pleasant spring warmth. Just remember, the temperature swings will remain big, so dress accordingly!

[Weather] Temperatures will rise from tomorrow with bad air quality

2025/03/19 20:00

As the cold air from the North Pole still remains, temperatures in Seoul were below zero degrees this morning. The temperature in Seoul will recover to 1 degree Celsius tomorrow morning and it will rise to 15 degrees during the day. However, as smog from overseas gradually flows in, air quality is expected to be dusty tomorrow. Seoul, Incheon, Chungcheongnam-do Province, and Jeollanam-do Province will see "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust. Tomorrow morning, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Daegu will start off at zero degrees Celsius and Chuncheon at minus 3 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 14 degrees in Chuncheon and Busan, 16 degrees in Daejeon and Gyeongju. Temperatures will rise significantly to around 20 degrees this weekend, and the weather will feel like late April to early May. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Weather] Temperature will rise significantly from tomorrow, bad air quality instead

2025/03/19 17:00

All the snowstorm clouds that dropped unseasonably heavy snow have receded, and clear skies appeared across the country today. However, due to the influence of the remaining cold air, the cold snap will continue until today. From tomorrow afternoon, the temperature will rise significantly and it will become warm again. However, air quality is expected to be dusty as smog from overseas gradually flows in. Seoul, Incheon, Chungcheongnam-do Province, and Jeollanam-do Province will see "bad" levels of ultra-fine dust tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Daegu will start off at zero degrees Celsius and Busan at 3 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 16 degrees in Daejeon and Gyeongju, 17 degrees in Daegu. Temperatures will gradually rise, and the daytime temperature in Seoul will be very warm at around 20 degrees this weekend. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Weather] Spring cold sticks around today under sunny skies

2025/03/19 10:00

The spring snow wonderland melted away fairly quickly yesterday but the spring cold is sticking around through today. This morning was off to an even colder start than yesterday! Many inland areas saw subzero temperatures with Daegwallyeong seeing a low near minus 20 degrees. Those in the east of Gangwon-do in particular need to be extra careful on icy roads and sidewalks. Despite the colder temperatures, the ultrafine dust level will remain high in the capital region, and Chungcheong-do and Gyeongsangnam-do Provinces during the morning. We will have plenty of sunshine with afternoon highs similar to yesterday, topping out at 7 degrees in Seoul, Daegu and Gwangju make it to 9 degrees. A strong wind will make it feel colder! But the cold spell will ease from tomorrow afternoon, with temperatures returning to seasonal norms. It will feel like mid-April over the weekend and into early next week under clear skies. But for today, stay warm and take care! Many are coming down with a cold these days!

[Weather] Cold snap across the country until tomorrow, getting warmer from Thursday

2025/03/18 20:00

Unusual heavy snow and gusty winds have covered the whole country amid a cold snap. With icy air, the temperatures stay low during the day all over the country. This snap will continue tomorrow with the daytime temperature rising to only 7 degrees Celsius in Seoul and it will feel even colder than the actual readings. Heavy snow has been falling everywhere from last night. As for snowfall, up to 20 centimeters or more is expected in the mountainous areas of Gangwon-do Province and between 10 and 20 centimeters in the northeastern mountainous areas of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, with 1 to 10 centimeters in other areas until tonight. Tomorrow morning will be just as cold as today with Daejeon at minus 3 degrees, and Gyeongju at minus 2 degrees. Highs will move up to 9 degrees in Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu and Gyeongju. Typical spring weather for this time of year will make a return on Thursday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

March snowfall brings S. Korea's latest-ever heavy snow advisory

2025/03/18 17:00

A snow advisory was issued overnight as Seoul saw heavy snowfall a rare weather phenomenon in mid-March. Ahn Sung-jin reports. South Korea's spring seemed to have taken a hiatus. With unexpected heavy snowfall covering the country starting late Monday, Seoul issued its latest-ever heavy snow advisory since 1999 when statistics first started to be compiled. The advisory was lifted around 10 AM on Tuesday in most of the capital and surrounding areas. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, heavy snow of more than 10cm was observed overnight across the metropolitan area area including Gyeonggi-do Province as well as parts in Gangwon-do and Chungcheong-do provinces up to Tuesday morning. Following the heavy snowfall, Seoul's lowest temperature also dropped to zero but the feels-like temperature fell to sub-zero numbers. It's not common to see this much snow in March. The KMA noted that a low-pressure system formed by Arctic winds caused much of the heavy snow and strong gales. The unprecedented snow caused travel disruptions and safety concerns with one subway line stopping services in the early hours of Tuesday, and more than 8 flights and around 90 passenger ships having their departures canceled or delayed. In the early hours of Tuesday, a driver died in a car crash, with police pointing to a slippery road from the snow as the cause. Though most of the snowfall is expected to stop by the end of the day, strong winds are expected to continue. The government pledged to monitor and promptly respond to any incidents to prevent further accidents. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.

[Weather] Cold snap continues until tomorrow, spring weather from Thursday

2025/03/18 17:00

The cold snap is bringing heavy snow and gusty winds. The cold air from the Arctic came down to Korea making the atmosphere unstable. The daytime temperature in Seoul is expected to be 7 degrees Celsius and the wind will make it feel even colder. Meanwhile, heavy snow has been falling everywhere from last night. Most of this snow will stop tonight. Up to 20 centimeters or more is expected in the mountainous areas of Gangwon-do Province and between 10 and 20 centimeters in the northeastern mountains of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, with 1 to 10 centimeters in other areas until tonight. Tomorrow morning will be just as cold as today with Daejeon at minus 3 degrees, and Chuncheon at minus 4 degrees. Highs will move up to 9 degrees in Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu and Gyeongju. From tomorrow, the sky will become clear. Typical spring weather will make a return on Thursday. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

[Weather] Spring storm hits most of Korea with snowy surprise, chilly all day

2025/03/18 10:00

A spring storm hit most of Korea with snowy surprise, with a heavy snow advisory issued yesterday in the capital, the latest on the record. Overnight, Seoul received nearly 7 centimeters of snowfall and it will keep piling up through the mid-afternoon with 1 to 5 centimeters more snow in store. East of Gangwon-do could see 40 centimeters or more, mountainous regions in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province may see up to 20 centimeters, with blizzards. Heavy snow alerts in place for most regions. Strong winds will also be an issue, especially on Jeju Island and western regions, with wind advisories in place. Temperatures remain on the chilly side throughout the day, highs will be similar to yesterday topping out at 7 degrees in the capital, Busan at 8 degrees. On the bright side, warmer days are ahead! Starting Thursday, we'll see a sharp turnaround as a warming trend takes over. Sunny skies return, and temperatures will climb, melting away today's snow fairly quickly. So, for today, bundle up and drive safely.