Hint: It is some 830 meters above sea level and is notorious for icy winds
As South Korea shivers through its coldest winter days, you might wonder: Where’s the chilliest spot in the country, and just how freezing does it get in January, the coldest month of the year?
According to decades of meteorological data, the answer is Daegwallyeong Pass in Gangwon Province.
Based on the Korea Meteorological Administration’s average January temperatures recorded from 1991 to 2020, Daegwallyeong, which is located some 832 meters above sea level, holds the title of the coldest place in the country, with an average of minus 12.2 degrees Celsius.
It's important to note, however, that this data is based solely on recorded temperatures. Meteorological monitoring relies on weather stations where equipment is installed, so it doesn't cover all locations.
On Thursday morning, the temperature in Daegwallyeong dropped to minus 16.9 C, reaffirming its reputation for freezing weather.
Daegwallyeong is also known for its heavy snowfall and strong winds and is home to many wind power turbines.
Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon Province, is also famous for its cold weather. The area’s average January low is not far behind Daegwallyeong, at minus 11.8 C.
This is why multiple weather reports on Thursday morning warned that temperatures in Cheorwon-gun could dip as low as minus 21 degrees Celsius by Friday morning.
On Thursday morning, Cheorwon-gun recorded minus 13.6 C.
Taebaek, a mountainous region in Gangwon, is also known for its bitter cold, with an average January minimum temperature of minus 9.6 C.
On Thursday morning, however, the coldest recorded temperature was at Seoraksan, the towering mountain and surrounding national park in Gangwon Province. At 6 a.m., the temperature there plunged to minus 24.5 C.
Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Government issued its first cold wave advisory of the winter at 9 p.m. Wednesday. A cold wave advisory is issued when the morning low temperature is forecast to stay below minus 12 degrees Celsius for two or more consecutive days. According to the KMA, this cold spell should last through Saturday.
