Commuters make their way through Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Friday when wind chill temperatures fell to minus 20 degrees Celsius. (Yonhap)
Commuters make their way through Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Friday when wind chill temperatures fell to minus 20 degrees Celsius. (Yonhap)

A harsh cold snap followed the Christmas holiday.

As of 8 a.m. Friday, temperatures in Seoul dropped to as low as minus 11.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest recorded so far this winter, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Strong winds pushed wind chill temperatures even lower, reaching minus 20 C.

Fruit is covered with a blanket at a stall at the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Friday. (Yonhap)
Fruit is covered with a blanket at a stall at the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Friday. (Yonhap)

A merchant at the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa district, Seoul, keeps warm next to a gas burner on Friday. (Yonhap)
A merchant at the Garak Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Songpa district, Seoul, keeps warm next to a gas burner on Friday. (Yonhap)

Subfreezing temperatures are expected to persist throughout the day in many areas. Daytime highs will reach only minus 4 C in Seoul and Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, and minus 1 C in Daejeon.

In some regions, snowfall is intensifying the bitter cold. The eastern islands of Ulleungdo and Dokdo remain under heavy snow warnings, with up to 15 centimeters of snow forecast through the day.

Jeju’s mountainous areas are expected to receive 5 to 10 centimeters, while the Honam region, comprising Gwangju and the South and North Jeolla provinces, could see 1 to 5 centimeters.

Hallasan National Park on Jeju Island was closed to visitors on Friday due to heavy snow. (Yonhap)
Hallasan National Park on Jeju Island was closed to visitors on Friday due to heavy snow. (Yonhap)
Officials clear snow at the Seongpanak Visitor Center in Hallasan National Park on Jeju Island on Friday. (Yonhap)
Officials clear snow at the Seongpanak Visitor Center in Hallasan National Park on Jeju Island on Friday. (Yonhap)

cjh@heraldcorp.com