A mix of rain and snow hit the entire nation on Monday, weather forecasters said, adding that heavy snowfall will continue through Tuesday morning in Seoul and nearby regions.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said that Gangwon Province and the surrounding mountainous area saw up to 20 centimeters of heavy snowfall, while Seoul and Gyeonggi Province received 1 to 5 centimeters of snow.

Jeolla Province and the west coast area got 3 to 8 centimeters of snow.

Weather forecasters said that snow may turn into rain due to relatively milder temperatures throughout this week.

With the chances of rain at 60 to 90 percent in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon and South Chungcheong provinces, forecasters encouraged people to keep an umbrella handy before heading out.

The morning low in Seoul on Monday stood at minus 3 degrees Celsius and the afternoon temperature rose to 3 degrees Celsius.

Other cities including Daegu, Gwangju and Busan saw milder afternoons at 6, 8 and 9 degrees Celsius.

The KMA said that heavy snowfall this week is due to a wave of cold air moving southward, causing snowfall in mountainous regions.

For Wednesday, temperatures are expected to drop as much as 10 degrees Celsius following the heavy snow and rainfall. The KMA said most regions will see strong wind and freezing subzero temperatures.

The morning low on Wednesday is forecast to hit minus 16 degrees Celsius in Gangwon Province, while Seoul’s morning temperature is expected to plunge to minus 12 degrees Celsius.

Incheon, Suwon and Daejeon are forecast to experience chilly weather as well, with the temperatures forecast to be at minus 11, 12 and 8 degrees Celsius, respectively.

The KMA said the wind chill would lower the actual temperature people feel outside to hit as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.

As the cold weather warnings may be issued for the central areas of peninsula on Wednesday, the KMA said people should make sure outdoor facilities do not freeze.

By Kim Da-sol, Intern reporter (dasolkim@heraldcorp.com)