Sat Jan 31 02:30:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Bitter Cold Grips South Korea as Dry Conditions Heighten Fire Risk

The Story:
South Korea is bracing for another day of frigid temperatures on Saturday, December 31st. The morning will see lows of -11°C in Seoul and as low as -16°C in Cheorwon and Daegwallyeong, Gangwon Province. While the day will gradually become clearer in most regions, the Seoul metropolitan area will see increasing cloud cover in the evening. A significant fire risk persists due to dry conditions, particularly in central regions, eastern Jeonnam, western southern coast, and Gyeongsang Province.

Key Points:

  • Morning lows will range from -16°C to 3°C.
  • Daytime highs will range from -1°C to 8°C.
  • Wind chill will exacerbate the cold, particularly in central regions.
  • A dry weather advisory is in effect for central regions, eastern Jeonnam, western southern coast, and Gyeongsang Province due to very dry atmospheric conditions.
  • Air quality is expected to be “good” to “moderate” across all regions.
  • Sea wave heights will range from 0.5 to 2.0 meters in the East Sea and 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the West and South Seas.

Key Takeaways:

  • Extreme cold weather is impacting much of South Korea.
  • The combination of cold and dry conditions increases the risk of fires, requiring heightened vigilance.
  • The weather is expected to vary across regions, with cloud cover increasing in the Seoul area by evening.
  • Despite the cold, air quality is predicted to be relatively good.

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