Other > Other
‘5cm per hour’, the heaviest snowfall ever… It retains moisture and is heavier.
Published date: 2024-11-27 16:40 Updated: 2024-11-27 16:47
A series of collisions occurred across the country, trees fell and power outages occurred.
Confusion on the way to work until tomorrow… 10 to 20 cm more snow expected in each region
On the afternoon of the 27th, when heavy snow fell in Seoul and other central regions, employees are clearing snow at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo = Yonhap News
While a heavy snow warning is in effect for the central region and some southern inland areas, heavy snowfall of more than 5 cm per hour is falling in some areas, such as southern Gyeonggi Province.
On the afternoon of the 27th, as the heavy snow warning expanded, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security upgraded the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to level 2, and also raised the heavy snow crisis warning level from ‘Caution’ to ‘Warning’.
In particular, the snow on this day was ‘wet’, causing damage one after another. Wet snow refers to wet snow that falls when the temperature is high and has a lot of moisture and strong cohesion. It is 2 to 3 times heavier than dry snow or snow, so it can lead to a collapse accident in places with a lot of snow.
A heavy snow warning was issued starting on the night of the 26th, focusing on the central region and some southern inland areas.
In fact, several collapse damages are being reported. In Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, a casualty occurred at around 8:40 a.m. on this day, when a man in his 70s died while working on snow removal. It is reported that the accident occurred while clearing snow that had accumulated on a tent-type garage. Police and fire authorities are investigating the circumstances of the accident, believing that the garage roof collapsed due to being unable to withstand the weight of the snow.
Additionally, in Guri City, Gyeonggi Province, heavy snow fell on the road early in the morning, causing inconvenience to citizens as heavy snow fell on the road. Telephone poles that could not withstand the weight of the snow fell and some households in Eunpyeong-gu and Seongbuk-gu, Seoul suffered power outages.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, rain or snow will fall in most areas of the country until tomorrow (28th) morning. In particular, it was predicted that there would be strong and heavy snowfall of 1 to 3 cm per hour (around 5 cm in some areas), especially in the central region and eastern Jeollabuk-do. On this day, there will be a lull in some parts of northern Gyeonggi, central and northern Gangwon, and Gyeongsang region.
As of 4 p.m. on this day, the snowfall amount in the metropolitan area is 27.4cm in Geumjeong, Gunpo, 27.4cm in Uiwang-i-dong, 26.7cm in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 23.5cm in Suwon, 14.2cm in Incheon, and 9.2cm in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. A lot of snow fell in Gangwon-do, including 24cm in Pyeongchang and Daehwa, and 20.1cm in Deogyusan in Muju in Jeolla. It is expected that about 10 to 20 cm of additional snow will fall in each region until tomorrow.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters requested relevant agencies and local governments to thoroughly implement safety measures to prevent road icing accidents due to falling temperatures, traffic congestion during rush hour, and pedestrian safety accidents.
Local governments collaborate with related organizations to actively expand public transportation operations, such as extending subway and bus operations, and provide public safety management to prevent damage from heavy snow, such as providing guidance to refrain from unnecessary going out and moving around special warning areas and preliminary special warning areas, and sending disaster text messages. He requested that publicity be strengthened.
Lee Sang-min, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Headquarters (Minister of Public Administration and Security), said, “We will respond by mobilizing all our capabilities to minimize inconvenience to the public due to heavy snowfall,” and added, “We hope that citizens will also refrain from unnecessary going out and moving and pay attention to preventing safety accidents.”
Reporter Seo Hee-won shw@etnews.com
