Arctic warming blamed for brutal cold wave gripping Korea
South Korea has been experiencing an intense cold wave this week, with temperatures plummeting well below sub-zero for the fifth consecutive day.
The severe cold wave currently battering the Korean Peninsula has been attributed to warming in the Arctic, according to recent reports. The Arctic is experiencing a period of significant warming, with temperatures soaring over 20 degrees Celsius higher than the 30-year average between 1991 and 2020. This abnormal warmth is disrupting the Arctic's air currents, leading to frigid air spilling southward.
On February 2, temperatures at the 87th parallel, or 87 degrees North latitude, rose to nearly minus 1 degree Celsius, close to the melting point of ice. Finnish meteorologist Mika Rantanen described this event as one of the most extreme winter warming occurrences in the Arctic.
This unusually warm air in the Arctic interacts with low pressure over Iceland, further drawing warm air towards the North Pole. This exceptional warming is destabilizing the Arctic's airflow, causing cold air to descend upon the Korean Peninsula. Ordinarily, the polar vortex traps this frigid air, preventing it from reaching Korea. However, as the Arctic warms and the vortex weakens, the cold air masses break free and travel south, impacting the Korean Peninsula.
The rapid pace of Arctic warming raises further concerns. Scientists warn that the Arctic is heating at nearly four times the global average, accelerating ice melt and intensifying climate disruptions worldwide. A study from the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that the Arctic Ocean could see its first “ice-free” day as soon as 2027.
Meanwhile, snow is expected to fall across most parts of South Korea throughout Friday. The Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province will see snow in the morning, while the Chungcheong and Gyeongsang regions can expect snowfall in the afternoon. Light snow is also possible in the eastern coastal areas of Gangwon Province and parts of the Gyeongsang region.
Morning lows will range from minus 14 to 0 degrees Celsius, with Seoul expecting a low of minus 12 degrees Celsius. Daytime highs will remain below freezing in most areas, with Seoul reaching a high of minus 6 degrees Celsius, Incheon minus 6 degrees Celsius, and other major cities ranging from minus 6 to 3 degrees Celsius.
The cold weather is expected to continue through the weekend. On Saturday, snow is forecast for the western parts of Jeolla Province in the afternoon, and for the Jeolla and Jeju Island regions in the evening.
jychoi@heraldcorp.com
