Han River freezes early this winter amid cold wave

The Han River in Seoul has been declared frozen for the first time this winter due to an ongoing cold snap. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this is seven days earlier than in previous years. Thick ice formed in a 100-meter area between the second and fourth piers of the Han River Bridge.

On January 3, weather authorities declared the Han River in Seoul frozen for the first time this winter, amid a cold snap that has persisted for days. The freezing was observed along the river running through the capital. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) states that the river is officially frozen when thick ice covers a 100-meter-long area between the second and fourth piers of the Han River Bridge, which connects Yongsan Ward and Dongjak Ward.

In previous winters, the first freeze was typically declared around January 10, but this year it occurred seven days earlier. Last winter, it was recorded on February 9. This early freezing highlights the intensity of the current cold wave, though the KMA has not linked it to broader climate trends in the report. The event marks a familiar winter milestone for Seoul residents.

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Illustration of Seoul residents enduring a severe cold snap with -11°C temperatures, light snow, and frosty streets.
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South Korea hit by blistering cold snap after Christmas

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Morning temperatures in Seoul plunged to minus 11 degrees Celsius on Friday, December 26, as a severe cold snap gripped South Korea the day after Christmas. The Korea Meteorological Administration reported this as the season's lowest, with cold wave alerts issued across Gangwon Province. Daytime highs are expected to reach minus 7 to 2 degrees Celsius, with light snow or rain forecast for Jeolla provinces and Jeju Island.

A severe cold wave gripped South Korea on Friday, January 2, 2026, with temperatures plunging and heavy snow falling in southern regions including South and North Jeolla provinces and Jeju Island, according to the weather agency. As of 8 a.m., Seoul recorded minus 11.2 degrees Celsius, while some areas saw near minus 15 degrees Celsius.

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The season's first heavy snowfall struck Seoul and surrounding areas on Thursday, December 4, prompting authorities to issue an emergency disaster alert. With accumulation exceeding 5 centimeters per hour, traffic disruptions were anticipated, including the postponement of a football match. On Friday, December 5, subway and bus services were increased to manage the fallout.

Following earlier warnings, heavy snow accumulated Thursday morning along the Sea of Japan side from northern Japan to Chugoku, with advisories for Ishikawa and Shiga prefectures. The winter pressure pattern is set to continue until Sunday, per the Japan Meteorological Agency.

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Eisregen und überfrierender Regen haben in Schleswig-Holstein und Hamburg zu zahlreichen Verkehrsunfällen geführt. Mehrere Autobahnen wurden zeitweise gesperrt, und Krankenhäuser melden eine hohe Belastung durch Verletzte. Der Deutsche Wetterdienst warnt weiterhin vor Glättegefahr.

Nach anfänglichen Warnungen und Schulschließungen im Westen Frankreichs verschärfte sich die polare Kältewelle am 5. Januar 2026 und bedeckte Westen und Pariser Becken mit starkem Schnee. 26 Departements in Orange-Alarm erlitten massive Störungen im Straßen-, Schienen- und Luftverkehr, wobei Behörden vor rutschigen Straßen bis Dienstag warnten.

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SMHI hat zwei gelbe Warnungen vor plötzlichem schwarzem Eis in Nord-Svealand und Süd-Norrland ausgegeben, nach jüngsten Schneestürmen, die mehrere Verkehrsunfälle verursacht haben. Meteorologe Toni Fuentes warnt, dass Regen trotz steigender Temperaturen schnell auf kalten Straßen einfriert. Polizei fordert Fahrer auf, Geschwindigkeit anzupassen und Abstand zu halten.

 

 

 

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