Seoul temperatures forecast to fall to minus 1 C on exam day, as rain gives way to winter chill
One of South Korea's most nerve-racking days of the year is approaching, and this time, the weather could add to the tension. Seoul is forecast to see its first subzero Suneung morning in six years, with temperatures expected to fall to minus 1 degree Celsius on Thursday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.
If the forecast holds, it will mark the first subzero Suneung morning in Seoul since 2020, when the exam was postponed to December due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time temperatures dipped below freezing for a Suneung in November was in 2019.
The cold snap is expected to follow several days of rain. Wet weather is forecast nationwide from Friday through Sunday morning, with another round of rain expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cold air moving in from the northwest will then send temperatures sharply downward. Seoul's morning lows are forecast to drop from 8 C on Tuesday to 4 C on Wednesday and minus 1 C on Thursday. Daytime highs are also expected to fall from 12 C to 7 C over the same period.
Strong winds and rough seas are expected across waters around the peninsula on Tuesday and Wednesday, potentially disrupting ferry services. Students traveling from islands to take the exam are advised to check transportation schedules in advance.
However, the KMA cautioned that the forecast remains subject to change. The agency is scheduled to hold another briefing on exam-day weather Tuesday.
tammy@heraldcorp.com
